CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Objectives

1. To manage the urban landscape and architecture of construction works in accordance with the approved urban planning, control the construction, renovation, and embellishment of the city towards the architectural development orientation, protect the landscape, national cultural identity, and architectural characteristics of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City;

2. To specify the national technical regulations and standards on planning, architecture, and construction for urban architectural management in accordance with the actual conditions of Ho Chi Minh City;

3. To provide regulations on the architecture of different types of works as a basis for investment and construction; provide information on planning – architecture and serve related state management;

4. To serve as a basis for determining planning – architectural criteria for individual residential works and other works within the scope of this regulation.

Article 2. Subjects and scope of application

1. Subjects of application:

This regulation applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in architectural and construction activities in Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Scope of application:

a) Within the administrative boundaries of Ho Chi Minh City (except for rural residential areas);

b) For areas, projects, and works with approved 1/500 scale detailed planning, separate approved urban design proposals, or approved overall site plans and architectural plans that have different or more specific regulations on architecture compared to this regulation, the approved and agreed contents shall be applied.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

1. Architectural works:

Are one or a complex of works or work items constructed according to an architectural idea or design (according to Clause 4, Article 3 of the Law on Architecture No. 40/2019/QH14 dated June 13, 2019, of the National Assembly – hereinafter referred to as the Law on Architecture).

2. Valuable architectural works:

Are typical architectural works with architectural, historical, cultural, and artistic values approved by competent authorities (according to the Law on Architecture).

3. Landmark works:

Are works with outstanding architecture or functions in the overall planning area or complex of works; have a significant impact on the landscape of the area or attract many urban public activities.

4. Construction height:

The (maximum) height of the construction is measured from the ground elevation of the work according to the approved planning to the highest point of the work (including attic or sloped roof). For works with different ground elevations, the height of the work is measured from the lowest ground elevation according to the approved planning.

Roof technical equipment: antenna poles, lightning rods, solar energy devices, metal water tanks, chimneys, vent pipes, decorative architectural details (flower trellis, light materials, not concrete) are not included in the construction height (according to section 1.4.25 of the National Technical Regulation on Construction Planning QCVN01:2021/BXD issued together with Circular No. 01/2021/TT-BXD dated May 19, 2021, of the Ministry of Construction – hereinafter referred to as QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

5. Standard elevation at the construction boundary:

Is the height of the construction at the construction boundary (roadside or setback position from the roadside – including the height of the railing or parapet on the roof).

6. Number of building stories:

a) The number of building stories includes all above-ground stories (including technical stories, attic stories) and semi-basement stories, excluding the penthouse. The attic story is not counted in the number of building stories when it only serves to cover the stairwell/elevator shaft and the technical equipment of the works (if any), and the attic roof area does not exceed 30% of the roof floor area. For works with different ground elevations, the number of building stories is calculated according to the lowest ground elevation according to the approved planning (according to section 1.4.14 of the National Technical Regulation on Apartment Buildings QCVN04:2021/BXD issued together with Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BXD dated May 19, 2021, of the Ministry of Construction – hereinafter referred to as QCVN 04:2021BXD);

b) For individual houses and individual houses combined with other civil purposes: the mezzanine is not counted in the number of building stories in cases where the mezzanine floor area does not exceed 65% of the main functional floor area right below and only one mezzanine is allowed not to be counted in the number of building stories, the mezzanine is not allowed to have balconies (according to section 4, notes, Appendix II of Circular No. 06/2021/TT-BXD dated June 30, 2021, of the Ministry of Construction regulating the classification of construction works and guidelines for application in the management of construction investment activities – hereinafter referred to as TT 06/2021/TT-BXD);

c) For apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings: only one mezzanine is not counted in the number of building stories when the mezzanine is only used as a technical area (for example: technical floor at the bottom of the swimming pool, floor for generators or other building equipment), has a construction floor area not exceeding 10% of the construction floor area of the floor right below and not exceeding 300 m² (according to section 4, notes, Appendix II TT 06/2021/TT-BXD);

d) Other works: the mezzanine is only used as a technical area, with a floor area not exceeding 10% of the construction floor area of the main functional floor right below (according to section 4, notes, Appendix II TT 06/2021/TT-BXD).

7. Individual houses:

Are houses built on separate land lots under the lawful land use rights of organizations, households, and individuals, including villas, townhouses, and detached houses (according to section 1.4.11 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

8. Townhouses:

Are individual houses of households and individuals built adjacent to each other, through many stories built close to each other in a row on adjacent lots with a width smaller than the depth (length) of the house, sharing the same infrastructure system of the urban area (according to section 3.2 of the National Standard TCVN 9411:2012 on “Townhouses – Design standards” – hereinafter referred to as TCVN 9411:2012).

9. Shophouses (townhouse):

Are townhouses built on street axes, commercial and service areas according to the approved planning. In addition to the residential function, shophouses are also used as shops, service offices, motels, hotels, small production facilities, and other services (according to section 3.3 TCVN 9411:2012).

10. Townhouses with a yard:

Are townhouses with a front or back yard within the premises of each house, and the dimensions are uniformly taken for the whole row according to the detailed planning of the area (according to section 3.4 TCVN 9411:2012).

11. Setback townhouses:

Are townhouses with a setback from the roadside boundary determined according to the current status or the construction boundary map according to the current planning.

12. Villas:

Are individual residential works built independently or semi-independently, with surrounding gardens (at least 3 sides of the work) and separate access.

13. Apartment buildings:

Are buildings with 2 or more stories, with many apartments, common corridors, staircases, private ownership, common ownership, and a system of common infrastructure works for households, individuals, and organizations, including apartment buildings built for residential purposes and apartment buildings built for mixed-use purposes (according to section 1.4.1 QCVN 04:2021/BXD).

14. Mixed-use apartment buildings:

Are apartment buildings with mixed-use purposes designed and constructed for residential and other purposes such as offices, services, commerce, etc. (according to section 1.4.3 QCVN 04:2021/BXD).

15. Mixed-use works:

Are works with different uses (according to section 1.4.14 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

16. Multi-functional works (multi-functional complex):

Are works arranged in the same building with groups of rooms or floors with different functional uses (offices, audience rooms, food and beverage services, commerce, residential rooms, and rooms with other functions) (according to section 1.5.9 of the National Technical Regulation on Principles of Classification and Grading of Civil Works, Industrial Works and Urban Technical Infrastructure QCVN 03:2012/BXD issued together with Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BXD dated December 28, 2012, of the Ministry of Construction – hereinafter referred to as QCVN 03:2012/BXD).

17. Commercial townhouses:

Are low-rise townhouses built on land used for commercial – service purposes according to the planning approved by competent authorities (according to section 3.1 of the National Standard TCVN 12872:2020 on “Commercial townhouses – General design requirements” – hereinafter referred to as TCVN 12872:2020).

18. Detached – Semi-detached works:

a) Detached works: are works constructed without any external surface adjacent to the land boundaries of adjacent lots (with setbacks on all side and rear land boundaries).

b) Semi-detached works: are detached works with one wall (side or rear) adjacent to the land boundaries of adjacent lots.

19. Setbacks:

Are the space between the red line and the construction boundary (according to section 1.4.24 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

20. Tower setbacks:

Are the space between the red line and the construction boundary of the tower of the works.

21. Basement setbacks:

Are the distance from the red line to the underground construction boundary.

22. Underground construction boundary:

Is the boundary line that allows the construction of underground buildings and works (not including underground technical infrastructure systems).

23. Transparent facade:

Is the opening on the exterior wall of the works, usually in the form of windows, doors, glass panels. These designs aim to create friendliness and interest with shops and activities along the street, attracting pedestrians. In case the front of the works is required to have a transparent facade ratio, the ground floor elevation must not exceed 30cm from the sidewalk (see Figure 3-1).

Figure 3-1 Illustration of transparent facade

24. Canopy:

Is a roof extending from the works, the extending part can be on the sidewalk space and outside the construction boundary of the works (see Figure 3-2).

25. Pedestrian arcade, covered pedestrian space:

Is a walkway with columns or arched vaults on one or both sides, usually formed by setting back the enclosure wall on the ground floor of the building by a certain distance from the construction boundary of the works (setback on the ground floor); in this space, no fixed architectures or other architectural details (partition walls, planters, etc.) that obstruct pedestrian activities are allowed. The upper floors and load-bearing columns are still built on the construction boundary; the space between the columns and the wall creates a covered pedestrian arcade such as a building passage, indoor commercial space, covered courtyard, etc. (see Figure 3-2).

Figure 3-2 Illustration of pedestrian arcade, canopy

26. Continuous street wall:

Is the construction of the podiums of buildings facing public spaces (such as streets or squares) in a straight line to form the boundary of the public space with continuous, aligned building facades. The continuous street wall gives pedestrians a sense of enclosed space, clear orientation, and easy recognition of the characteristics of that space (see Figure 3-3).

The continuous street wall must meet the following conditions:

a) The construction boundary of the works on a street section within the standard elevation at the construction boundary position must be uniform.

b) The continuous street wall section must occupy at least 50% of the length of the corresponding block side.

Figure 3-3 Illustration of continuous street wall of tower with podium

Figure 3-4 Illustration of two types of continuous street wall

27. Park-like space belonging to works:

Is an open garden space with an elevation within the range of -5m to +2m compared to the ground elevation of the works according to the approved planning, with a ratio of at least 50% of green space area (see Figure 3-6) and ensuring accessibility for all people in terms of space as well as time.

Figure 3-6 Illustration of regulations on park-like space

28. Areas without parks:

Are areas outside the maximum service radius of 500m of a public park (public green space).

29. Areas encouraged for urban renovation and embellishment:

Are areas belonging to an existing block that do not meet the requirements for adjacent to traffic roads (with land lots not adjacent to existing or planned traffic roads with a road width of 3.5m or more – see Figure 3-7). The renovation of these areas aims to ensure traffic connection with major roads, ability to serve fire protection and fighting, organize open spaces, and improve the quality of the living environment. The locations of areas encouraged for urban renovation and embellishment are identified in the Zoning Plan.

Figure 3-7 Illustration of urban renovation and embellishment areas

30. Types of public open spaces encouraged when constructing within the premises of works:

a) Squares;

b) Courtyards;

c) Covered open spaces;

d) Sidewalk extension;

e) Pedestrian spaces;

f) Small parks – flower gardens.

Figure 3-9 Illustration of open spaces

31. External architectural massing of works:

Is the construction of separate works on at least two or more separate land lots in the form of a building block, considered and decided by the planning – architecture management agency.

32. Floor area ratio:

Is the ratio of the total floor area of the works, including the basement (excluding the floor areas for technical systems, fire protection and fighting, shelter, and parking of the works) to the total land area (according to section 1.4.21 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

33. Net building density:

a) Net building density: is the ratio of the land coverage area of the main architectural works to the land lot area (excluding the land coverage area of outdoor works such as decorative landscape, swimming pool, parking area (yard), sports yard, guard house, access, basement ventilation with roof and other technical infrastructure works).

b) Building components and decorative architectural details such as: balconies, bay windows, canopies, entrance roofs, steps, window sills, corridors that have complied with fire safety and construction safety regulations are allowed not to be included in the land coverage area if they ensure not to obstruct the circulation of people and vehicles and do not combine other uses (according to section 1.4.20 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

34. Gross building density (brutto):

Gross building density of an urban area: is the ratio of the land coverage area of the main architectural works to the total land area (the total land area may include: yards, roads, green areas, open spaces, and non-construction areas) (according to section 1.4.20 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

35. Basement:

Is a floor whose height is more than half below the ground elevation of the works according to the approved planning (according to section 1.4.17 QCVN 04:2021/BXD).

36. Semi-basement:

Is a floor whose height is half above or at the ground elevation of the works according to the approved planning (according to section 1.4.18 QCVN 04:2021/BXD).

37. Mezzanine:

Is an intermediate floor between floors whose floor slab (mezzanine floor) is between the floor slabs of two floors with main functional uses or between the roof of the works and the floor slab of the floor with main functional uses right below; the mezzanine floor area is smaller than the construction floor area of the floor with main functional uses right below (according to section 2, notes, Appendix II TT 06/2021/TT-BXD).

38. Technical floor:

a) A floor or a part of a floor with technical rooms or technical equipment of the building. The technical floor can be the basement, semi-basement, penthouse, top floor, or a floor in the middle of the building (according to section 1.4.19 QCVN 04:2021/BXD).

b) In case only a part of the floor is arranged with technical rooms or technical equipment of the building, this floor area is not included in the floor area ratio of the works.

39. Penthouse:

Is a floor inside the space of the sloped roof where all or a part of its facade is created by the surface of the sloped or folded roof, in which the enclosure wall (if any) is not higher than 1.5m from the floor slab (according to section 1.4.15 QCVN 04:2021/BXD).

40. Urban underground construction space:

Is the construction space of underground works including: underground public works, underground traffic works, underground technical hubs, and underground parts of above-ground construction works, underground cable and pipeline works, ditches, and technical tunnels (according to section 1.4.28 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

41. Urban underground works:

Are works constructed underground in urban areas including: underground public works, underground traffic works, underground technical hubs, and underground parts of above-ground construction works, underground cable and pipeline works, ditches, and technical tunnels (according to Article 2, Clause 4 of Decree No. 39/2010/ND-CP dated April 7, 2010, of the Government on management of urban underground space).

42. Urban space:

Is the space including urban architectural objects, greenery, water bodies in urban areas that have a direct impact on the urban landscape (according to Article 3, Clause 13 of the Law on Urban Planning consolidated in Document No. 16/VBHN-VPQH dated July 15, 2020, of the National Assembly Office – hereinafter referred to as the Law on Urban Planning).

43. Urban architecture:

Is a combination of objects in urban areas, including architectural, technical, artistic, and advertising works whose existence, image, and style dominate or directly affect the urban landscape (according to the Law on Urban Planning).

44. Historical – cultural relics:

Are construction works, sites, and artifacts, antiques, and national treasures belonging to those works and sites with historical, cultural, and scientific values (according to the Law on Cultural Heritage consolidated in Document No. 10/VBHN-VPQH dated July 23, 2013, of the National Assembly Office – hereinafter referred to as the Law on Cultural Heritage).

45. Scenic landscapes:

Are natural landscapes or sites with a combination of natural landscapes and architectural works with historical, aesthetic, and scientific values (according to the Law on Cultural Heritage).

46. Commercial – service axes and road sections:

Are identified in the Zoning Plan, Detailed Plan or by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, People’s Committee of Thu Duc City and districts, Department of Planning and Architecture (in Appendix 02) according to the following criteria:

a) Belonging to the central areas of the City, district centers or important traffic axes connecting regional centers;

b) The current status or socio-economic development orientation is a road axis concentrating many commercial – service activities on the street frontage;

c) The roadway width ensures car parking and circulation lanes, has sidewalks wide enough for motorcycle parking and pedestrian circulation (except for pedestrian commercial routes specifically identified by competent authorities).

47. New urban areas:

Are urban areas expected to be formed in the future according to the planning of the urban and rural system, invested in and constructed in stages to meet urban criteria as prescribed by law (according to Article 3, Clause 2 of the Law on Urban Planning).

48. New urban zones:

Are areas in urban areas, newly invested in and constructed with synchronized technical infrastructure, social infrastructure, and housing (according to Article 3, Clause 3 of the Law on Urban Planning).

49. Zoning plan:

Is the division and determination of the functions and urban planning land use criteria of land areas, technical infrastructure networks, social infrastructure works in an urban area to specify the contents of the General Plan (according to Article 3, Clause 8 of the Law on Urban Planning).

50. Detailed plan:

Is the division and determination of urban planning land use criteria, requirements for architectural and landscape management of each land lot; arrangement of technical infrastructure works and social infrastructure works to specify the contents of the Zoning Plan or General Plan (according to Article 3, Clause 9 of the Law on Urban Planning).

51. Urban development areas:

Are areas identified for urban development investment in a specific period. Urban development areas include: new urban development areas, urban expansion development areas, renovation areas, conservation areas, urban redevelopment areas, and areas with specialized functions (according to section 1.4.7 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

52. Urban landscape:

Is a specific space with many viewpoints in urban areas such as the space in front of an architectural complex, squares, streets, sidewalks, pedestrian streets, parks, vegetation, gardens, flower gardens, hills, mountains, mounds, islands, islets, natural land slopes, coastal strips, lake surfaces, river surfaces, canals, and creeks in urban areas and urban public spaces (according to Article 3, Clause 14 of the Law on Urban Planning).

53. Safety corridors:

Are the minimum space in terms of width, length, and height, running along or surrounding technical infrastructure works (according to section 1.4.27 QCVN 01:2021/BXD).

54. Protection corridors on the banks of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, drainage channels, and public lakes:

The protection corridor on the bank is the width of the land area running along both sides of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, drainage channels, and public lakes; measured from the planned high edge of the bank inland (according to Article 3, Clause 5 of Decision No. 22/2017/QD-UBND dated April 28, 2017, of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on management and use of protection corridors on the banks of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, drainage channels, and public lakes in Ho Chi Minh City).

55. Technical infrastructure hub areas:

Are areas planned for the construction of main urban-level technical infrastructure works, including main traffic axes, energy transmission lines, water supply transmission lines, drainage sewers, telecommunication lines, and other technical hubs.

56. Existing residential areas in urban areas:

Are areas identified in the General Plan and Zoning Plan with residential functions and “existing, current status, renovation” characteristics (such as existing residential areas, existing embellished residential areas, existing residential clusters, etc.). Excluding areas with 1/500 scale urban detailed planning, separate urban designs, existing townhouse rows with uniform architectural designs and identified by competent authorities as valuable architectural works.

57. Blocks:

Are land areas in the Zoning Plan with specific symbols and boundaries, area, planning functions, and urban planning land use criteria.

Article 4. Principles of architectural management in urban areas

1. General principles:

a) Architectural design must comply with the Law on Architecture, be consistent with the criteria in the Adjusted general construction planning according to Decision No. 24/QD-TTg dated January 6, 2010, the Tasks of adjusting the general construction planning of urban areas according to Decision No. 1528/QD-TTg dated September 14, 2021, approved by the Prime Minister, regulations on conservation, environment, fire and explosion prevention, technical standards and regulations, this regulation and other relevant legal provisions.

b) Be consistent with the urban planning orientation of Ho Chi Minh City; meet the needs of sustainable socio-economic development, ensure national defense and security, protect the environment, use natural resources appropriately, adapt to climate change, and prevent and combat natural disasters.

c) Preserve, inherit, and promote traditional architectural values, selectively absorb the quintessence of world architecture. Build an advanced and modern architecture imbued with national cultural identity.

d) Apply high technology, advanced technology, and new technology in architectural management suitable to the reality of Ho Chi Minh City to ensure economic, technical, and artistic efficiency, and use energy economically and efficiently.

e) Ensure the participation of agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals; harmoniously combine the interests of the country, the community, the rights, and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals.

f) The construction of works must be strictly and synchronously managed in terms of space, architecture, and landscape; ensure efficient functioning, aesthetics, safety, and harmony with the surrounding urban area.

g) Architectural design of works needs to ensure the architectural value of the works (considered in the fields of ideology, literature, painting, sculpture, music, media, light, and materials).

2. Principles for areas with special management requirements:

a) Determine the boundaries, locations, and lists of areas with special management requirements:

– Areas with important landscape significance, areas with specific architectural management requirements (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 01):

The area along the Saigon River;

Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve;

Can Gio Beach Resort Urban Area;

Hiep Phuoc Port Urban Area;

Southern Urban Area;

Nhon Duc – Phuoc Kieng Urban Area (GS);

Sing-Viet New Urban Area;

Northwest New Urban Area;

Existing central area of the City with an area of 930ha;

Thu Thiem New Urban Area;

Future urban area of Truong Tho;

High-tech Park;

Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City;

Tam Da Eco-Urban Area;

Rach Chiec Sports Center;

Cat Lai – Phu Huu Port Urban Area;

Binh Quoi Thanh Da New Urban Area.

– Main road axes (according to Appendix 02);

– Pedestrian streets (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 03):

Nguyen Hue Street;

Dong Khoi Street;

Nguyen Van Binh Street;

Bui Vien Street.

– Road axes of particularly important administrative, commercial, and tourist nature (maps of boundaries and locations in Appendix 04):

Le Loi Street;

Nguyen Hue Street;

Ham Nghi Street;

Ton Duc Thang Street;

Le Duan Street;

Nguyen Tat Thanh Street;

Nguyen Van Troi Street;

Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street.

– Areas of historical and cultural relics, scenic landscapes, conservation (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 05):

Ben Thanh Market Special Zone (District 1);

Con Rua Lake Area (District 3);

Villa Special Zone (District 3);

Area of Nguyen Trai Street, Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street, Luong Nhu Hoc Street, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street (District 5);

Binh Tay Market Area (District 6);

Villa area of Thu Duc University Village, Binh Tho Ward, Thu Duc City.

– Public center areas, squares (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 06):

The area of the square in front of Ben Thanh Market;

The area of the square in front of the City People’s Committee headquarters;

The area of Nguyen Hue pedestrian square;

The area of Paris Commune Square;

The area of International Square (Con Rua Lake);

The area of Bach Dang Wharf Park and Me Linh Square;

The area of Lam Son Park (in front of the City Theater).

– Large parks: urban-level parks, residential unit-level parks identified in approved planning schemes (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 07).

– Areas around public transport hubs, metro stations: along metro line No. 1 and metro line No. 2 (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 08).

– Urban gateway areas (maps of boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 09):

Southwest gateway: the area of Binh Dien Bridge head and the administrative center of Binh Chanh District;

Northeast gateway: the area of Mien Dong Bus Station and Suoi Tien Metro Station;

East gateway: the area of the interchange between Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway and Ring Road 3;

North gateway: the area of the interchange between Ho Chi Minh City – Moc Bai Expressway and Ring Road 4;

South gateway: Can Gio Beach Resort Urban Area.

b) Principles for areas with special management requirements:

• Areas of significant landscape importance and areas requiring distinctive architectural management: the management of space, architecture, and landscape must be unified, synchronized, and appropriate to the natural, cultural, and socio-economic conditions within the boundaries of the area in order to create unique and distinctive features for that area.
• Main road axes, pedestrian routes and road axes of particularly important administrative, commercial, and tourism significance:

Main road axes: create synchronization, continuity, and easy identification of the main architectural orientation and landmark buildings for the main road axes. Building setbacks need to be appropriately studied for each building function to ensure suitability in terms of space, architecture, and overall landscape; ensure accessibility to the building; ensure conditions for natural lighting and safety for evacuation and emergency escape as prescribed. Large, integrated buildings are encouraged.

Pedestrian streets: arrange green spaces and street furniture to form spaces for street activities. Use people-friendly architectural solutions. The ratio of open area on building exterior walls in the form of windows, glass doors, etc. along pedestrian streets should be at least 80%, encouraging the creation of corridors in front of buildings and connecting the spaces inside the street blocks.

Road axes of particularly important administrative, commercial, and tourism significance: use formal, attractive, dynamic architectural forms, etc. suitable to the function of the road axis.

• Areas of historical, cultural, scenic and conservation sites: architecture of new construction works must ensure harmony with the spaces and works of monuments and landscapes. Encourage the creation of viewpoints, vistas, scenery, and connecting urban spaces to enhance value and increase public accessibility to the spaces and works of historical, cultural, scenic and conservation sites. Limit obstructing views of the spaces and works of historical, cultural, scenic and conservation sites.
• Public center areas, large squares and parks: need to create orderly spaces, harmoniously connecting architectural works. Diverse architectural forms suitable for public functions. Prioritize connections with landmark buildings, creating a sense of place for each area. Landscape design ensures the organization of cultural, entertainment and recreational activities for city residents; connects open urban spaces, especially combining with public transport hub spaces.
• Areas around public transport hubs, urban railway stations: building architecture is easy to orient and identify. Organize building access spaces for pedestrian convenience, easy connection to other modes of transport, prioritizing the development of commercial service functions.

c) Other requirements:

• Encourage the formation of a system of covered pedestrian corridors, connecting with public buildings and public transport hubs.
• For newly constructed buildings (civil, infrastructure, public investment) with high usage, the design needs to demonstrate architectural value, innovation, and advanced elements compared to similar previously built works.
• Building architecture needs to meet requirements for disaster prevention and climate change adaptation.
• In order to improve urban renovation, add greenery, open spaces, strengthen public transport connections, preserve valuable architectural works, encourage environmentally friendly design in Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, Binh Thanh, Go Vap, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan and Thu Duc City and towns of suburban districts beyond the determined floor area ratio (V), an additional preferential floor area ratio is granted. The preferential floor area ratio (X) for land lots is determined as follows:

Create public open space (in the form of squares, parks, etc. that people can access at any time) with a scale of 30% or more of the land area, the floor area ratio is increased by the following calculation: prescribed floor area ratio (V) + 1.0 or 0.25V (using the option with the lower floor area ratio). The open space built by the investor as a preferential condition needs to meet the following requirements: ensure public accessibility and enjoyment; the preservation/maintenance of the open space is the investor’s responsibility.

Connect to public transport hubs (metro station, train station, bus station, airport), arrange a bus stop within the building premises (with a written agreement from the competent authority) or the building has a direct connection by pedestrian corridors, underground passages, pedestrian bridges (meeting the construction requirements of barrier-free accessibility as prescribed in the regulations), the floor area ratio is increased by the following calculation: floor area ratio (V) + 1.0 or 0.25V (using the option with the lower floor area ratio).

Preserve valuable architectural works (on the approved list or agreed by competent authorities to be preserved) within the project premises, the floor area ratio applied to new construction works within that project can be considered for an increase as follows: floor area ratio (V) + 1.0 or 0.25V (using the option with the lower floor area ratio).

Environmentally friendly, when new construction works are designed and built with environmentally friendly solutions (approved by competent authorities), the floor area ratio is increased by the following calculation: floor area ratio (V) + 1.0 or 0.25V (using the option with the lower floor area ratio).

Arrange additional parks in the project, when at least 30% of the land area has public park functions within the land premises, the floor area ratio is increased by the following calculation: floor area ratio (V) + 1.0.

Within the Area encouraged for urban renovation (as defined in the Zoning plans), the floor area ratio is increased by the following calculation: prescribed floor area ratio (V) + 2.0.

3. Principles for determining the floor area ratio (V) in areas planned for existing residential functions without detailed planning or urban design, or in areas with special management requirements but without specific regulations on how to determine the floor area ratio:

Within Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, Binh Thanh, Go Vap, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan and Thu Duc City with a land area not exceeding 1000 m²2; in other cases with a land area not exceeding 2000 m² and ensuring infrastructure connection as prescribed (for land areas larger than the above, the floor area ratio of the street block is applied), the floor area ratio of the land lots is determined by the following steps:

• Step 1: Determine the residential land percentage

For street blocks with an approved alley boundary plan:

Residential land percentage = (Street block area – planned alley area) / Street block area.

For street blocks without an approved alley boundary plan, estimate the alley area within the residential area to account for about 18% of the street block area (equivalent to the land norm for alleys in residential units):

Residential land percentage = 82%.

For street blocks that already border roads of residential unit level or higher and do not require alleys:

Residential land percentage = 100%.

• Step 2: Determine the base floor area ratio of the street block

Based on the above residential land percentage, the base floor area ratio of the street block is determined as follows:

Base floor area ratio = Street block floor area ratio / Residential land percentage

• Step 3: Determine the floor area ratio of the land lot (V)

The floor area ratio of the land lot = Base floor area ratio and apply additional additive or subtractive factors

Additive factors:

Subtractive factors:

4. Areas requiring separate Urban Design (boundaries and locations specified in Appendix 10):

Truong Son – Phan Dinh Giot – Tran Quoc Hoan road;

Ha Noi highway;

Pham Van Dong road;

Vo Van Kiet road;

Other areas requiring urban architectural space management approved by competent authorities.

5. Priority street areas and renovation areas: defined in the Zoning plans.

Article 5. Construction works requiring architectural design competitions

1. Areas, locations or works requiring architectural design competitions:

a) Public works of special and level I scale according to Decree No. 06/2021/ND-CP dated January 26, 2021 of the Government and Circular No. 06/2021/TT-BXD dated June 30, 2021 of the Ministry of Construction;

b) The city’s central railway station, civil aviation airports;

c) Urban bridges from grade II or higher, urban railway stations from grade II or higher;

d) Monument works, works symbolizing the city’s traditions, culture and history;

đ) Important works, landmarks in the city and on the city’s main routes:

Works with 30 or more floors or 100m or higher in height across the city;

Works that are landmarks in the city’s gateway areas (gateways are defined in Appendix 09 of these Regulations);

Works built in locations that directly impact the appearance of the city’s urban architectural landscape.

Other important works as required by the City People’s Committee.

2. Architectural design competitions must comply with the provisions of architectural law and other relevant legal provisions.

3. Maps of areas, locations or works requiring architectural design competitions are provided in Appendix 11.

CHAPTER II MANAGEMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE SPACE

Article 6. Orientation for architecture and landscape space

1. General orientation:

a) General architectural orientation for the entire City:

• The architecture of works should adhere to the orientation for urban space development in the approved General Plan, with commensurate investment in design and construction, to become long-term valuable urban assets. Build modern, dynamic urban architecture combined with preserving and inheriting historical architectural works, retaining the imprints of the City’s formation and development stages, building city residents’ pride.
• Prioritize creating public landscapes at many levels (city level, residential unit level, and residential group level) that are stately, synchronous, modern and environmentally friendly in order to contribute to increasing the percentage of people using public transport, reducing flooding, increasing green spaces.
• Manage building heights according to planning, adhering to the following principles: building heights follow the shape of the base high-rise road; concentrate high-rise buildings along high-capacity public transport axes (TOD); high-rise in urban centers, gradually lowering outwards; high-rise inside the city and gradually lowering towards the river banks.
• Encourage the creation of public use spaces in the city. Encourage connecting public spaces, underground urban spaces, creating a continuous pedestrian network in the City.
• Encourage planning and planting large canopy trees, lawns, combined with organizing squares, flower gardens, fountains, monuments, reliefs, small landscapes in public center areas.
• Build open spaces and community living spaces with aesthetic and functional value, meeting the usage needs of residents.
• Architectural works must be suitable for the sub-equatorial monsoon tropical climate. Architectural design should be pedestrian-friendly such as creating lots of shade, having canopies, having lots of natural permeable surface.
• Architectural works need to improve physical health and epidemic hygiene conditions such as having natural ventilation corridors for the city and buildings, green spaces for relaxation, pedestrian spaces, water surface spaces, designs that reduce urban heat island effect, solutions to reduce urban noise.
• Architecture of works along rivers and canals must harmonize with the water space, creating the characteristic of the City’s river urban landscape.
• Encourage mixed-use buildings, with open ground floors to organize public spaces, internal pedestrian routes, elevated within podiums, creating gardens, ponds, atriums combined with arranging small landscapes, monuments, sculptures to create a green, beautiful and friendly urban landscape. Encourage planning and planting large canopy trees, combined with organizing squares, flower gardens, fountains, monuments, reliefs, small landscapes in mixed-use building complexes.

b) General architectural orientation for central areas:

Ho Chi Minh City has many specific urban central areas including:

• The main integrated center of the City in the old inner city on the territory of District 1, District 3 and part of District 4, Binh Thanh District (the existing City Center) with an area of 930 ha, extending the new main integrated center to the Thu Thiem area, District 2 (now Thu Duc City) with an area of 737 ha;
• Eastern center: in Long Truong ward, District 9 adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway with an area of about 280 ha;
• Southern center: belonging to area A of the new southern urban area with an area of about 110 ha;
• Northern center: belonging to the new Northwest urban area with an area of about 500 ha (Northwest Urban Area);
• Western center: the area bordering National Highway 1 in Tan Kien commune, Binh Chanh district with an area of about 200 ha;
• Subsidiary regional centers in the North in Hoc Mon district with an area of about 50 ha;
• Subsidiary regional centers in the South in Nha Be district with an area of about 50 ha.

c) The main integrated center of the City:

It is a place that concentrates many administrative, cultural, commercial, service, landmark, modern buildings and buildings with historical, cultural, and artistic value.

• The old inner city area in District 1, District 3 and part of District 4, Binh Thanh district with an area of 930 ha, reasonably balancing high-rise development in the existing central core area to reduce overload on the existing infrastructure; at the same time, limit adverse impacts on the urban structure and cultural – social values, architectural heritage. High-rise development is mainly in the Le Loi – Nguyen Hue – Ham Nghi triangle area and some landmarks such as Ben Thanh market roundabout, extended Le Loi axis, etc. The entire 930ha area is planned and divided into 5 sub-zones:

Sub-zone 1: the connection between spaces in the area is a priority to create dynamism and attraction. Focus on developing and effectively exploiting the metro line system. Consider maximizing the floor area ratio within the capacity of the technical infrastructure system, in harmony with the urban architectural landscape. Take the open space at 23/9 Park as the main focal point of the center, connecting with squares, underground spaces, cultural building spaces, historical architectural heritage buildings, etc. Through landscape axes, pedestrian axes, main traffic axes to create an entity that both promotes the role of the central core and ensures sustainable development for the city.

Sub-zone 2: is an area concentrating many cultural – historical buildings, is the historical cultural central axis, with an area of about 212.2 ha. In areas near historical buildings, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the City’s Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, the construction height must be strictly controlled to preserve the existing historical landscape. With Le Duan Street, the height and form of buildings will be controlled so as not to obstruct the view between the Independence Palace and the Zoo. Prioritize planning and architectural criteria for construction works that contribute to preserving and promoting the architectural and landscape values of historical and cultural significance to the City.

Sub-zone 3: is the area along the Saigon River (West bank), stretching from Saigon Bridge to Tan Thuan Bridge, with an area of about 248.34ha. Focus high-rise development at a few appropriate points (areas) to attract investment in areas along the West bank of the Saigon River. Open up the urban space towards the river: reserve the land of Ton Duc Thang Street along Bach Dang Wharf Park for pedestrian space and trams, move Ton Duc Thang Street underground. The green space along the river is connected inward by landscape axes, public open spaces facing the river from District 4 port to Tan Cang.

Sub-zone 4: is an area with many villa-type buildings, belonging to part of District 1 and District 3; with an area of about 232.3ha. For roads in the villa area, where many old villas are still preserved, the height and floor area ratio of buildings need to be strictly controlled. For high-rise buildings, setbacks and height of the building base must be controlled according to current regulations and there must be incentive policies for land use norms, in order to encourage the preservation of characteristic architectural landscape spaces with cultural historical value and urban value in District 3, contributing to the formation of Ho Chi Minh City’s urban identity. Especially in some areas, road axes with many villas, some canal landscape areas, or areas with urban railway transit station hubs, there are incentive policies according to the TOD model, in order to encourage and effectively exploit resources for renovating existing urban areas.

Sub-zone 5: this is the area adjacent to sub-zone 1 to the South, with mostly existing row houses, belonging to part of District 1 and District 4; with an area of about 117.5ha. In the area adjacent to the CBD, high-rise development will be allowed in blocks near Ben Thanh station, along Ham Nghi street, Ben Nghe canal and the extension of Nguyen Thai Hoc street to District 4 – where office and commercial functions are arranged. Especially, for street blocks near Ben Thanh station – where 4 UMRT lines, bus and BRT converge – maximum building height of over 200m will be allowed. Apply incentive criteria for building projects applying TOD model principles and urban renovation requirements.

• The new Thủ Thiêm integrated center is a new, modern urban area and an extension of the existing City Center, with the main functions of being the City’s financial, commercial, and high-end service center of the region and internationally; is the center for culture, leisure, and entertainment; undertaking some functions that the existing City Center still lacks and has limited development.
• Eastern center: Long Truong ward area, District 9 adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway axis (about 280 ha)

Area developing an ecological urban model with functions of food technology center, high-tech agriculture, university education. The area plays the role of the eastern gateway center with focal points being important transportation infrastructure hubs including both expressway and railway connecting to the new international airport. The area creates many opportunities for creativity in architectural design exploiting the river environment. The area allows both limited development and high-tech use to minimize environmental impacts, while preserving the most biodiverse areas.

• Southern center (area A of the City’s New Southern Urban Area)

It is a model new urban area, which has been, is being and continues to be invested in construction according to the approved plan. The orientation of landscape space and architecture of new construction works needs to ensure inheritance and harmony with the landscape space and architecture of the constructed works.

The landscape space needs to take advantage of the natural features of rivers and water, creating a characteristic compared to areas with different natural conditions of the City; exploiting and enhancing the landscape along canals; studying solutions combining lake excavation to create landscapes.

Building architecture needs to be suitable to the geological and hydrological conditions of the southern area of the City. Encourage reducing the ground floor construction area to bring green spaces into the works, increase public space, improve microclimate conditions and increase natural water permeability. For high-rise buildings, encourage architectural solutions with podiums, combining commercial and service functions, increasing utilities for local residents. For low-rise buildings, encourage sloped roof solutions (prioritizing tile roofs). Medium-rise buildings should have transitional architectural solutions, harmonious between high-rise and low-rise buildings.

• Northern center (belonging to the City’s New Northwest Urban Area)

The Northwest Urban Area will be a modern, ecological urban area, with synchronous development of technical and social infrastructure in order to create an urban area with a healthy, friendly living environment towards sustainable development.

The Northwest Urban Area includes 7 large and small centers. Each center will develop both distinctive and common features that are beneficial for commerce, industry, leisure, management, education and living. The urban spaces are specialized according to 4 themes: living, working, playing, developing. These spaces are organized in a harmonious interspersion with green spaces and water surfaces, creating the diversity and attractiveness of the entire urban area.

Residential areas are built in both large and small centers. The characteristics of the residential areas will be based on the existing cultural and landscape features and the characteristics of the center. The works will be a combination of high-rise and low-rise buildings in sync with the surrounding area. The proposed housing model is suitable for natural topographical conditions: low-rise housing types are built with low density combined with water and greenery arranged in low-lying areas in the South, bordering Long An province, most suitable for green spaces such as golf courses, ecological parks, greenery and lakes; high-rise and mid-rise housing types are built with high density arranged in the Northern area, where the ground is high and stable, suitable for regional centers where concentrated, high-density residential areas are required to ensure suitability for commercial and service functions.

Green space, water surface space: green belts extending from West to East, creating a central green lung for the entire Northwest Urban Area; at the same time connecting projects in the urban area together. The first green belt stretches along the Dong canal, creating a waterscape and a series of themed green spaces. The second larger green belt runs parallel to the East-West direction including an ecological park, a tourist park, a sports area, a park near the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, a sports area, a golf course and ends with the University Park.

The concentrated green space in the Northwest Urban Area is designed in a elongated form along the length of the entire urban area due to the topographical conditions of the urban area not being completely flat, besides aiming to create the highest accessibility for residents. In the middle of these parks are green strips connecting public spaces for residents in the area and also the industrial park.

Organization of tourism space development: tourism planning has taken advantage of the characteristics of the Northwest Urban Area and highlights it with greenery, water and numerous exciting sports and leisure activities such as motorbike racing, water games, golf courses, natural spaces, etc. In addition, ecotourism is developed in combination with traditional cultural values.

• Western center: the area bordering National Highway 1 in Tan Kien commune, Binh Chanh district (about 200 ha);

It is the Binh Chanh Center with the character of being the western gateway of the City, concentrating many inter-regional traffic hubs and public transport, oriented to develop according to the TOD model, being a new construction area combined with partial renovation. The main functions of the planning area include the City-level Center in the West (commercial center, service, financial office; service center for tourism, Southern cultural performance; center for exhibitions, research on garden products, supporting agricultural development; sports center; mixed services, etc.) and residential areas.

Building architecture and landscape design take advantage of natural topographic features, canals, rivers and promote ecological landscape values and cultural and historical characteristics.

• Subsidiary regional center in the North in Hoc Mon district (about 50 ha);

Service urban center, urban development oriented towards high-volume public transport (TOD model). These are functional service urban clusters. New urban development combined with renovation of existing urban areas.

Building architecture and urban design orientation according to the Ecological Belt model. Encourage trends in ecological, environmentally friendly architectural design, suitable to natural conditions.

• Subsidiary regional center in the South in Nha Be district (about 50 ha).

It is a new urban area, with fully equipped residential areas and synchronous, complete infrastructure, high quality, modern living environment with public service centers such as: medical centers, education, culture, sports, commercial – service – office – hotel areas, large-scale shopping center, etc. It is an area with a harmonious architectural spatial layout and closely linked with green spaces, water surfaces – a special feature of the district.

The organization of landscape space needs to take advantage of the natural features of rivers, enhance the landscape along canals; limit filling of canals, study solutions to create artificial landscape lakes combined with existing rivers and canals.

The orientation of building architecture needs to be suitable with geological and hydrological conditions, prioritizing natural lighting and ventilation. Encourage reducing the ground floor construction area, bringing green spaces into the works to increase public space, improve microclimate conditions and increase natural water permeability.

d) Architectural orientation for developing inner city areas:

• Facing East:

Focus on developing works at innovation centers (Thu Thiem, Hi-Tech Park, National University area, Truong Tho area, Rach Chiec area, Tam Da area, Cat Lai Port – Phu Huu area) and TOD corridors along Metro line No. 1. Except for the high topography area in the North-East, most of Thu Duc City lies in a low-lying area. To solve the flooding problem of Thu Duc City and Ho Chi Minh City, for low-lying areas, the general principle is to avoid filling and damaging the canal structure.

The landscape of the area along the Dong Nai River and Tac River has high biodiversity and recreational value.

Encourage the construction of multi-functional, high-rise buildings, solutions for building houses on stilts connected to water and greenery, limiting filling to protect the characteristic wetland terrain.

• Facing South:

The landscape space and architecture of new construction works need to have inheritance and harmony with the landscape space and architecture of the constructed works.

The landscape space needs to take advantage of the natural features of rivers, natural forests (mangroves, nypa palms, etc.) to create a distinctive feature compared to areas with different natural conditions of the City; exploiting and enhancing the landscape along canals; studying solutions to create artificial landscape lakes combined with existing rivers and canals.

Building architecture needs to suit the geological and hydrological conditions of the southern area of the City. Encourage reducing the ground floor construction area to bring green spaces into the works to increase public space, improve microclimate conditions and increase natural water permeability. Encourage bio-mimicry architectural works, natural entities characteristic of the southern area (mangrove trees, nypa palms, etc.).

• Facing Northwest: including District 12, towards Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts.

For urban architecture and landscape: orient towards modern urban architecture, with a synchronous system of technical and social infrastructure. Diverse, attractive, and lively architectural forms.

For architecture and landscape of the ecological tourism area along the Saigon River: architecture in harmony with the natural landscape of the Saigon River’s headwaters, prioritizing local natural materials and colors.

For rural architecture and landscape: architecture in harmony with topographic, geological and hydrological conditions, ensuring sustainable development. Encourage the combination of advanced technology, use of clean energy (solar energy, wind energy) in architecture, in line with the development orientation of clean, modern agriculture with high scientific content and great added value.

• Facing West, Southwest:

Form new large-scale urban areas, modern, synchronized in technical and social infrastructure.

Newly build universities, colleges, hospitals identified in the education and training area, concentrated medical clusters.

Create landscapes for large road axes, main urban road axes, new urban areas that are stately and harmonious with the regional landscape environment.

Newly build large-scale parks with diverse characteristics, forming tourist and cultural areas for entertainment and recreation of the people and attracting tourists.

New, modern architectural works, with good design quality and environmentally friendly, in harmony with the landscape and natural river conditions, creating the characteristic features of the area.

đ) Architectural orientation for urban-rural interface areas:

Create a transition in terms of space, building height, and architectural form between urban and rural areas.

e) Architectural orientation for agricultural areas within urban areas:

Encourage architecture using natural materials, in harmony with natural terrain, vernacular architectural forms, serving multiple functions linked with ecotourism activities.

f) General architectural orientation for existing urban areas:

Develop existing old urban areas in the direction of gradually supplementing technical and social infrastructure, especially supplementing public transport; renovating and embellishing to achieve synchronization in architecture and urban landscape for each area. Encourage urban renovation projects, entire street blocks, creating more open spaces, urban service works, increasing parking spaces; limit small-scale, fragmented projects in small alleys, lacking synchronous connection with existing urban space. Promote the preservation of valuable architectural works. Encourage the formation of public spaces, public amenities, urban services, etc. New public buildings in existing areas can consider increasing height, reducing construction density to meet usage needs. Urban infrastructure and utilities need solutions to help reduce flooding, improve urban environmental quality, etc.

g) General architectural orientation for new development areas:

• Includes Hiep Phuoc Port Urban Area, Can Gio Sea Tourism Urban Area, Northwest New Urban Area, etc. Oriented towards modern architecture, taking advantage of the topographic and natural conditions of each area.
• According to the principle of focusing investment in building new large-scale urban areas, modern, synchronized in social and technical infrastructure. New architectural works, modern, dynamic, creating rhythms with good design quality and environmentally friendly; landscape in harmony with the natural conditions of each area, creating a good and distinctive living environment of each new urban area. Creating quality urban public and semi-public spaces with landscape value.

h) Architectural orientation for suburban areas:

• Includes Cu Chi, Can Gio, Nha Be, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh districts. Need to maintain, restore and enhance natural ecosystems as well as typical natural landscapes created by topography, forestry areas, agriculture, riverside corridors and coastal strips. Build a residential model suitable to the characteristics of many rivers and water, topographic conditions, hydrological geology, ensuring sustainable development, protecting the urban living environment. Renovate and upgrade social infrastructure and complete the urban technical infrastructure system toward civilized, modern, environmentally friendly development.
• Form 3 ecological belts, green space landscape routes combined with agricultural land, reserve land to create open space in the North belonging to Cu Chi and Hoc Mon districts, in the West belonging to Binh Chanh district and in the South belonging to Nha Be and Can Gio districts. Area with favorable hydrological geological conditions (Cu Chi district): with the basic criterion of “Ecological Belt”, having the role of development axis, ensuring a high quality living environment. Area with unfavorable hydrological geological conditions (Nha Be, Can Gio, Binh Chanh districts): with the basic criterion of “Cluster Development”, in small groups, forming an urban model with low-rise architecture with space organization based on the typical river terrain or clusters of high-rise concentrated associated with low-lying areas around at suitable locations.
• Preserve the natural landscape, create a harmonious and distinctive new rural landscape. New rural housing architecture meets modern requirements but still preserves and promotes the traditional rural architectural values of Vietnam in general and the South in particular.
• Limit filling of rivers and canals, control construction boundaries. Encourage planting shade trees suitable to local soil and climatic conditions. Arrange appropriate areas and create landscapes (playgrounds, trees, lakes); preserve and take care of existing old trees.
• Encourage investment, design and construction activities for garden houses in suburban areas to create a lifestyle balanced with nature.

k) Architectural orientation for public spaces of industrial parks:

• Create a distinctive feature for each industrial park.
• Organize public spaces, improve the quality of the living and working environment for workers and laborers.

2. Specific orientations:

a) On urban landscape space:

• Focal points of urban landscape:

The area along both banks of the Saigon River: the section from Saigon Bridge to Khanh Hoi Bridge.

The area of Tau Hu Canal, Ben Nghe Canal, Doi Canal, Te Canal with the characteristic landscape of boats above and below.

• Open spaces, views to natural landscapes of mountains, water, on both sides of roads, rivers, areas along the Saigon River, major rivers of the City, large canals such as Thi Nghe Canal, Ben Nghe, Tau Hu Canal, Doi Canal, along Can Gio coast, Can Gio biosphere reserve area.
• System of parks, greenery, water surface

Newly build large-scale parks (theme parks, botanical gardens, zoos) with diverse characteristics, developing according to many different models in order to create landscape, environment, form tourist areas, cultural areas serving entertainment needs of the people and attracting tourists, connected into a system by green strips along rivers and canals and main transport axes, landscape axes. Develop and complete the system of parks and greenery on road axes, squares, open spaces, combined with supplementing and renovating monuments, flower gardens, water fountains. Encourage projects to increase setbacks and create squares, gardens and community spaces. Protect and improve the system of rivers and canals, build green corridors and river and canal erosion protection works for sustainable development. Renovate and embellish polluted canal routes, combined with exploiting urban landscapes to develop service and tourism activities. Parks need to contribute to flood control through combining functions of water collection, water absorption, and flood reduction. Large-scale parks need additional functions as regulating lakes.

Build, maintain and upgrade green spaces, landscape parks along river, canal and stream corridors in the City, forming a system of interconnected small-scale park spaces to harmoniously combine with the ecosystem, waterscape, entertainment spots, common living space of the residential community.

Encourage nurturing, protecting, and planting new trees in parks, especially large canopy trees, trees with environmental value, preserving landscapes, and typical trees of the area.

Encourage removing existing fences, in special cases, arrange low and airy fences for public parks, creating a friendly space for people, positively contributing to improving the urban landscape.

Enhance lighting for parks to ensure urban security and aesthetics.

Enhance transport connections for parks such as connecting pedestrian routes, building pedestrian overpasses across large right-of-way traffic axes, connecting bus stops and urban railways.

Organize the exploitation of landscape greenery areas serving the entertainment of City residents according to the project and with an approved detailed plan.

Encourage taking care of, protecting, planting new trees, especially large canopy trees, trees with environmental and landscape value, typical trees of the area.

Plant new, maintain and upgrade trees on road axes, green spaces at intersections, traffic islands, enhance urban landscape at traffic hubs.

Design green isolation combined with shielding urban technical infrastructure items, creating a beautiful and friendly urban landscape.

b) On architecture:

• On main roads, inter-regional roads, regional main roads.

Use building architectural forms suitable to the use function, in harmony with the surrounding space; encourage creating open spaces or creating ground floor setbacks for green spaces, arranging parking spaces and spaces for pedestrians. Buildings constructed at street corners must ensure visibility, safety, and convenience for traffic participants.

The architectural space needs to have some unified principles (on color, height, materials, etc.) to create the characteristic and continuity of the street frontage.

Use colors and finishing materials that do not affect the living of local people and affect traffic on the adjacent road. Encourage the use of locally available building materials and environmentally friendly materials.

Renovate and embellish the sidewalk system, reduce concreting combined with supplementing urban amenities such as urban trees, flower pots, benches, public trash cans, information boards, public toilets serving residents and tourists, especially the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.

• Existing areas

Organize urban architecture in harmony in terms of architectural style, height, setback, details, colors, and materials of buildings and individual houses on the streets. Encourage merging small land lots into larger lots and integrating small-scale architectural works to organize a more stately common architectural facade of the city.

Individual houses when built must comply with the planning, adhere to the construction boundaries, setbacks, construction density; ground elevation, floor heights, balcony heights, height and protrusion of cantilevers, of previously permitted buildings to create harmony and uniformity across the route.

New construction, renovation and repair of architectural works must be in harmony with the overall whole, must have similarity in volume, color, and building division with adjacent buildings, except for some cases following a separate Urban Design or for some special buildings. Organize open spaces in existing areas, when granting construction permits, it is necessary to consider creating setbacks, forming spaces for community activities.

• New urban areas

The works are designed to be civilized, modern, with architecture in harmony with the natural landscape environment, environmentally friendly. Landscape in harmony with the natural conditions of each area, creating a good living environment and distinctive features of each new urban area.

Encourage multi-functional, high-rise, high-density architectural works along main urban road axes, encourage connection with public transport stations and stops, especially urban railways.

Create landscapes for urban gateways, large road axes, main urban road axes, new urban areas that are stately, synchronized, modern and in harmony with the environment and landscape of each area.

Build a system of monuments, symbols of urban gateways, flower gardens, water fountains to create public spaces, characteristic of each project, each new urban area.

Build lighting systems, artistic decorations for trees, miniatures, monuments, combined with fountain lakes and beautiful architectural works to create focal points in central areas. Encourage the use of advanced technology lighting systems, modern advertising forms, energy saving, and light pollution prevention.

• Urban-rural interface areas

Create a harmonious transition in height and architectural form of buildings, at the interface locations between urban and rural areas. Orient the architectural development of the area in accordance with the characteristics and nature of urban development of each area.

• Conservation areas

Areas that need to preserve architectural, historical, and landscape heritage, need to review and keep intact buildings and villas with valuable distinctive architecture. Renovation and repair are carried out on the principle of preserving, maintaining, and promoting the characteristic values of the existing space, architecture and landscape of the area (height, facades on all sides, form, materials, colors of walls, roofs, gates, fences). The demolition of works (including gates and boundary walls) must have written opinions from the specialized management agency. Newly constructed or renovated works must be harmonious with the distinctive architecture and space within the scope of influence of the works.

• Development reserve areas

It is necessary to comply with the regulations on construction in these areas. Encourage prefabricated, assembled, and movable building types.

• Industrial zones

Encourage green architectural solutions, energy saving, modern forms, maximizing green spaces, maximally linking with available natural conditions, ensuring environmental protection.

• High-rise architecture concentrated in central areas, squares

Architectural works must study and propose appropriate architectural and urban design solutions, capable of contributing and enhancing the architectural and landscape value of the square space and central area. The facade of the building adjacent to the square needs to be pedestrian-friendly. There should be architectural solutions to ensure that technical areas, parking lots, and garages are not visible from the square or central area.

Figure 6-1 Diagram illustrating the organization of architectural and landscape space on Nguyen Hue Street

Article 7. Requirements on national cultural identity in architecture

1. For urban landscapes:

Must reflect the following characteristics:

a) It is a “riverine urban area” of the South with a dense system of rivers and canals creating a waterway transport artery of the region, a clear two-season climate (dry season – rainy season), water surface – greenery penetrating deep into the urban space, etc., with ports, market streets, the scene of “boats above and below”, forming a long-standing living pattern and attached landscape of old and present Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City.

b) The cultural diversity, the people of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City absorb and receive different elements to create cultural diversity without losing the community’s distinctiveness.

c) The development from a small city, with a grid-like street layout in the Western urban style attached to the Saigon River, now the City is a large urban area with diverse architectural morphology. With more than 300 years of formation and development, the trend of modern urban planning and architecture is an inevitable general orientation, but many works built through different historical periods such as: old villas, offices, mansions, schools, communal houses, temples, tunnels, etc. have left the imprints of “Old Saigon”, creating architectural diversity and many works are considered valuable architectural works.

d) The harmonious blend between the landscape space and new – old architecture of the city, the cultural spirit of “civility, modernity, love” is the foundation of national cultural identity in the architecture of Ho Chi Minh City.

2. For new architectural works, renovation and repair:

a) Inherit, absorb and promote local architectural styles and international architectural trends through periods; create diverse, harmonious, friendly architectural works and spaces, suitable to community living patterns.

b) The architectural space layout takes advantage of the river landscape, contributing to improving the landscape environment associated with the economic and tourism development of the City.

c) Protect and promote the architectural value of cultural heritage works and valuable architectural works in order to preserve the historical imprints of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City.

d) Architectural forms and architectural decorative details must be suitable to national customs and traditions; not causing discomfort. Encourage bringing traditional national images and symbols into new architectural works. When renovating and repairing old works, pay attention to protecting, preserving and combining details and architectural components with characteristic values of the city that have been inventoried, evaluated and recognized by professional agencies, units and councils.

đ) Use diverse building materials from traditional and common materials to typical and advanced materials to enhance architectural aesthetics and the adaptability and sustainability of works.

Article 8. Regulations for areas with special management requirements

1. The boundaries and locations of areas with special management requirements are specified in Article 4 of these Regulations.

2. Areas with special management requirements are specifically regulated in the appendices, the specific regulatory contents of each area must comply with the contents of these Regulations and relevant legal provisions. Areas without specific management regulations shall apply the provisions in the articles of these Regulations.

3. Regulations for the old inner city area in Districts 1, 3 and part of District 4, Binh Thanh District (the existing City Center of Ho Chi Minh City) with a scale of 930ha are specified in the appendix (Appendix 12).

4. Regulations for the Thu Thiem New Urban Area are specified in the appendix (Appendix 13).

5. Regulations for the Thu Duc University Village Villa Area are specified in the appendix (Appendix 14).

6. Regulations for the areas along Metro Line No. 1 are specified in the appendix (Appendix 15).

7. Regulations for the Northwest Urban Area are specified in the appendix (Appendix 16).

8. Regulations for the Southern City Urban Area are specified in the appendix (Appendix 17).

Article 9. Regulations on architecture of building types

1. Public buildings:

Public buildings include: educational buildings, medical buildings, sports buildings, cultural buildings, religious buildings, belief buildings, commercial and service buildings and offices, stations (aviation, waterway, railway; bus stations), passenger cable cars, government offices.

a) General provisions:

• The architectural planning norms of building types must comply with the approved Zoning Plan, Detailed Plan or Urban Design, ensuring service radius and transport connectivity.
• The design of building types must comply with current Construction Standards and Codes.
• Regarding building architecture:

The architecture of public buildings needs to express the characteristics, nature and typical architectural morphology of that type of public building.

The architecture of buildings needs to ensure sustainability elements, suit the climatic, geological, topographical, and hydrological conditions of the area; have the ability to effectively overcome the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution.

Encourage the application of new technologies in building architecture, towards green buildings, environmentally friendly and energy saving.

• Regarding landscape design:

Encourage design solutions that use part or all of the ground floor or floors of the building to arrange open spaces for public service, arrange playgrounds, lobbies or green spaces for the community.

Organize greenery and building landscape in the direction of contributing to the general urban landscape in the area; encourage arranging open spaces, increasing green spaces, water surfaces, miniatures, gardens to improve microclimate conditions and create more community living spaces, relaxation, lively and friendly rest, suitable to the building’s functions.

Greenery in buildings need to pay attention to choosing plants with good vitality, creating shade, less leaf fall and good resistance to water shortage and flooding conditions; limit planting fruit trees; do not plant shallow-rooted trees that are prone to falling, breaking branches; do not use fragrant, thorny and toxic sap plants. Encourage planting lots of trees in the building premises, around the setbacks, adjacent to the fence and gate area. Avoid planting greenery that obstructs building signs and signage.

• Regarding internal traffic organization and connection:

Organize transport connection plans and internal traffic in buildings to create convenience for users; well meet the design regulations and standards for buildings for people with disabilities.

Limit main entrances and exits directly connected to inter-regional traffic axes, or connected at traffic intersections.

Building entrances and exits need a parking bay; areas for picking up and dropping off guests and workers are encouraged to be arranged within the building’s land premises; have traffic access solutions to ensure no congestion at the entrance and exit areas of the building.

b) Specific provisions:

• Preschools, general schools at all levels:

For cases of construction in existing areas and for schools that do not meet land area standards, the building may be considered to increase a maximum of 02 floors compared to the design standards. For the additional floors, do not arrange classrooms, ensure fire protection and rescue requirements.

Encourage design options to leave part or all of the ground floor (part or all) empty to arrange open functional spaces for public service, playgrounds, training grounds, lobbies or building access spaces.

Encourage arranging permitted functions in the basement to prioritize ground space for play and study activities.

Encourage planting lots of shady trees in the schoolyard.

School entrances and exits need a parking bay; ensure compliance with current regulations and standards, encourage arranging concentrated student pick-up and drop-off areas within the school’s land premises; and have traffic access solutions to ensure no congestion at the school gate area when students arrive at or leave school.

• University, college, vocational high school buildings:

The architecture of universities and colleges needs to be diverse and creative, suitable to the specific characteristics of each school. Encourage designing modern architectural solutions, using new building materials and technologies, environmentally friendly and convenient for periodic maintenance.

Encourage design solutions that use part or all of the ground floor to arrange open spaces as space for students’ group activities.

School entrances and exits need a parking bay; ensure compliance with current regulations and standards; and traffic access solutions to ensure no congestion at the school gate area when students arrive at or leave school.

• Medical buildings

Encourage creating modern, naturally ventilated and environmentally friendly architecture; use new building materials and technologies and convenient for periodic maintenance.

Pay attention to the need for spiritual spaces, spaces for support activities (for patient caregivers, canteens, etc.) and have appropriate architectural design solutions.

Take advantage of empty spaces in the building premises to organize relaxation spaces, health recovery for patients, etc.

• Cultural buildings

The building design needs to highlight the artistic value of the building architecture, vision for development, in line with the City’s cultural diversity.

The building design needs to create spatial appeal, enhance interaction between people inside and outside the building.

• Sports buildings

The building architecture expresses a dynamic and strong spirit; architectural style follows contemporary language, suitable to functions, using new construction technology, sustainable materials, environmentally friendly, convenient for maintenance.

Large-scale sports buildings (city level, regional level, etc.) need to have spatial orientation, have an impact on the urban architectural landscape.

The architectural space is open, attracting urban activities, leaving lots of open space on the ground floor for activities with large crowds, sports and entertainment events, etc.

Pay attention to outdoor sports spaces that are reasonably linked and interactive with the building; pay attention to sound (noise), light, etc. factors between indoor and outdoor spaces.

• Commercial service buildings and offices

Encourage buildings to be set back far from the red line and land boundary, creating space for large crowd access.

Create open, interconnected spaces, forming beautiful viewpoints.

Building architecture must create attractiveness to attract users.

• State agency headquarters

The architecture should aim for symbolism, seriousness, solemnity and order; ensure convenience, security and confidentiality during operation.

Architectural form associated with the historical and cultural characteristics of Ho Chi Minh City.

Encourage spaces that enhance interaction with the people.

2. Residential buildings:

a) Townhouses in existing residential areas in the city:

• Townhouses in Ho Chi Minh City are specified in Appendix 18.
• When designing new construction or renovating interspersed townhouses along the street, it must be harmonious with the overall architecture of the street and must ensure the unique aesthetics of the building.
• Building design must ensure regulations on fire safety, environment, traffic, construction standards, construction codes and current regulations.
• Encourage integrating townhouses in existing residential areas for land lots with an area of each lot from 15 m² to less than 36 m², with a frontage width and depth from the construction boundary of 3.0m or more.

b) Townhouses in new urban areas:

• Architectural form: a group of houses (street frontage) of about 10 to 12 adjacent units should be designed in the same architectural style. Houses in the same group should have similar floor heights and roof forms. In one residential unit, there should be diverse architectural styles for each group of street houses, avoiding stereotyped similarity.
• On commercial service road axes with sidewalks wider than 3m, buildings adjacent to the red line boundary can have uniform canopies built for each house group. The maximum protrusion of the canopy is 2m from the red line boundary; the minimum height from the sidewalk surface is 3.5m. The canopy structure must ensure durability and safety. Absolutely no advertising boards, greenery, etc. are allowed on the canopy portion. (see Figure 9-1)

Figure 9-1 Canopy

• Basement:

The ramp slope of the basement entrance should be set back at least 3m from the red line boundary to ensure entry and exit safety.

The ground floor elevation for buildings with basements must not exceed 1.2m compared to the sidewalk elevation.

c) Residential buildings on rivers, canals:

• Houses along and on public rivers, canals, streams, lakes (stilt houses) that do not have relocation plans and do not affect the flow and waterway traffic can be renovated and repaired according to their original state.
• Houses and land within the protection corridor of rivers, canals, streams belonging to projects that have approved 1/500 scale Detailed Plans shall comply with current regulations.

d) Individual residential buildings in unimplemented planned areas:

In areas with approved planning plans, accordingly oriented to construction of non-residential and non-housing works (transport works, public works, industrial, commercial services, park greenery, sports, technical infrastructure, social infrastructure and other non-residential and non-housing works) that cannot be implemented in the near future, the issuance of construction permits shall be in accordance with the City’s regulations (Decision No. 26/2017/QD-UBND dated June 20, 2017 of the City People’s Committee).

đ) Villas:

• Regulations on construction indicators:

Maximum building density: single villas: 50%; semi-detached villas: 55%;

Maximum floors: 3 floors.

Construction boundary for villas: (see Figure 9-3)

The setback of the building from the right-of-way boundary (or alley boundary) needs to be specifically considered to ensure consistency with adjacent buildings and not less than 3m;

The setback of the building from the land boundary: at least 2m; particularly for semi-detached villas, construction can be adjacent to the land boundary between the two houses.

Figure 9-3 Villa construction boundary

Construction of auxiliary works within the villa premises (villa outbuildings) can be built behind the main villa, with a minimum setback of 4m from the main villa; the height of the auxiliary works must not exceed the main building. In case the outbuilding is built with 1 floor, it can be built adjacent to the rear land boundary; in case the villa is located right at the corner of the right-of-way, the position of the outbuilding is placed in the direction behind the main facade of the villa and has a setback from the right-of-way boundary (the remaining side) at least equal to the setback of the main villa from that side’s right-of-way boundary (see Figure 9-4);

Figure 9-4 Villa outbuildings

It is not allowed to expand, build infill that disrupts the architectural landscape of the villa premises.

• Regulations on architecture and landscape:

Diverse villa architectural forms, harmonious with adjacent villas and the surrounding landscape.

Encourage building airy fences combined with climbing flowering vines, shady trees within the villa premises.

e) Apartment buildings, mixed-use apartments, mixed-use buildings (commercial – residential, etc.), multi-purpose buildings (multi-purpose complexes):

• Architectural forms need to be diversely designed, harmonious with the street space, facades on all sides must be studied uniformly. Encourage designing in a modern architectural style, suitable to the climatic characteristics, living habits and civilized urban lifestyle.
• Encourage design options that use part or all of the ground floor or floors of the building to arrange open spaces for public service, arrange playgrounds, lobbies or green spaces for the community.
• Building designs need to ensure sustainability elements, suit the climatic, geological, topographical, and hydrological conditions of the area; have the ability to effectively overcome the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution; convenient for maintenance.
• Encourage the use of new technologies in construction and building materials towards green, environmentally friendly and energy-saving buildings.
• Organize building landscape greenery in the direction of contributing to the overall urban landscape in the area; design miniatures, gardens to improve microclimate conditions and create more community living spaces, relaxation and rest for building users.
• For buildings in existing urban areas, in case the traffic routes accessing the building have not been invested in widening the right-of-way according to the approved planning, the consideration of building architectural indicators for investment and construction needs to ensure the following conditions:

In case there is only one traffic route accessing the building, it must ensure a minimum width of 10.5m.

In case there are more than two traffic routes accessing the building: the width of each entrance and exit must be at least 6m.

• Limit main entrances and exits directly connected to inter-regional traffic axes, or connected at intersections or traffic nodes. Organize appropriate parking bays to access commercial service areas and residential areas. Entrances and exits ensure minimal impact on regional urban traffic.
• Need to study separating entrances and exits for commercial service areas and high-rise residential areas.

3. Industrial buildings:

a) Encourage designing modern industrial architecture, naturally ventilated and using environmentally friendly materials.

b) Industrial buildings must plant and maintain large canopy trees around architectural works at the setbacks from land boundaries, safety clearances, around industrial yards, gate areas and parking garages to create shade, reduce solar radiation, filter dust, improve microclimate for the industrial production environment.

4. Religious and belief buildings:

a) The construction of religious and belief buildings must be in accordance with urban planning, organized in harmony with the space and landscape of the area, with convenient traffic organization. Beautiful architecture, harmonious in proportion. The size, scale, architectural form, and color of the works are similar to the architecture of the surrounding area and promote national architectural traditions, bearing unique architectural characteristics of each religion and belief.

b) Religious buildings need to reasonably organize spaces to meet the needs of large crowds within the building premises (such as squares, yards, empty spaces on the ground floor, parking garages, emergency exits, etc.), traffic access solutions to avoid causing congestion on surrounding roads.

c) On building setbacks, prioritize arranging greenery, lawns, flower gardens, miniatures.

d) Within allowable conditions, need to create maximum distance between religious buildings and adjacent buildings.

đ) The restoration of belief and religious establishments that are historical – cultural relics and scenic landscapes that have been ranked by competent state agencies; the renovation, upgrading, and new construction of auxiliary works belonging to these establishments shall comply with current legal provisions.

e) During the consideration of new construction investment, repair and renovation of existing religious and belief buildings, there should be an assessment step to review the value to consider, avoiding cases where valuable architectural works are undesirably demolished.

g) Advertising on religious architectural works is not allowed.

5. Monuments, memorial works, urban decorations:

The location needs to be suitable with the surrounding architectural landscape space. Ensure aesthetic elements, appealing and attractive to viewers.

6. Underground urban works:

a) The design of the internal architectural space organization of underground works, in addition to the requirements on usage functions and sustainability, must also ensure aesthetic requirements, suit the cultural and historical characteristics of the area where the works are built.

b) Encourage enhancing natural lighting, green spaces, water surfaces, connecting with above-ground spaces.

c) The location of the basement entrance (ramp slope) must be at least 3m from the right-of-way boundary.

Article 10. Regulations on architecture of urban technical infrastructure works

1. General provisions:

a) Build hub areas and technical infrastructure works in accordance with relevant planning, construction standards, codes and take into account climate change adaptation solutions. Encourage multi-functional infrastructure solutions and meet future development needs. Ensure convenient traffic organization, harmonious urban architecture and landscape.

b) Arrange technical infrastructure hub works with appropriate construction density, limit height within the allowable technical range, encourage underground placement, ensure large setbacks from the right-of-way to organize landscape greenery, isolation greenery with other functional areas of the city. Take advantage of building setbacks, yards, gardens to plant greenery, lawns, increase green spaces, help improve microclimate, enhance landscape, shield the works.

c) During the design of wire and pipeline systems, it is necessary to ensure close coordination with the design contents of the greenery system and urban landscape on the road to ensure synchronization.

d) For technical infrastructure works around cultural works, relics, works with special architecture (national security and defense works, offices of diplomatic missions, administrative and political agencies), works that need preservation, streets or locations with other special functions such as pedestrian streets, areas in front of important agency headquarters: the architecture, colors, materials can be selected separately to suit the nature of the works, conservation requirements and according to the design approved by the specialized agency.

đ) Advertising on works and within the protection corridor of technical infrastructure wire and pipeline routes is strictly prohibited.

2. Sidewalks (street pavements); decorative objects (lights, benches, pavement fences, etc.):

a) Sidewalks

• Sidewalk design (street pavement):

Sidewalk design needs to be closely linked with the function of the road axis, in accordance with the space organization orientation of each road axis (such as commerce, service, park, public works, residential area) and public transport connections (such as bus shelters, taxi waiting areas, crosswalks, etc.) according to the approved planning, ensuring harmony with the surrounding space of the area.

For sidewalks of planned road axes with residential buildings combined with retail commerce, with a width of more than 6m, parking spaces with a maximum depth of 2m can be organized adjacent to the curb and combined with green spaces along the road.

For sidewalk sections that are partially cut to widen the roadway at bus stops, the remaining sidewalk width must not be less than 2m, and must be calculated to be wide enough to meet pedestrian needs.

Street pavements or sidewalks need to be designed to facilitate pedestrians with sidewalk surfaces that need to be paved evenly, continuously, ensuring pedestrian safety; especially paying attention to people with disabilities, avoiding creating different elevations on the sidewalk. Minimize entrances to buildings that affect the continuity of the sidewalk. In case it is necessary to create an entrance, a ramp slope should be designed to ensure continuity on the sidewalk section passing the entrance, the slope of the ramp must not exceed 4%.

For sidewalks with a width of over 6m, on commercial service road axes, parking bays with a maximum depth of 2m should be arranged adjacent to the curb.

At intersection corners, it is necessary to create a ramp that transitions continuously with the crosswalk marking and gradually lower the sidewalk elevation to serve pedestrians and people with disabilities to move easily (elevation difference less than 5cm).

On the crosswalk marking, a continuous flat surface equal to the width of the marking must be ensured (elevation difference less than 5cm). If there is an elevation difference with the adjacent sidewalk, a slope of no more than 8% must be created on that adjacent sidewalk.

To ensure pedestrian circulation that is friendly to people with disabilities, the design slope of sidewalks must comply with the following provisions (see Figure 10-1):

When the elevation difference between the sidewalk and the roadway is less than 15cm, the length of the sloped section must be less than 75cm and the length of the flat section (actually a 2% sloped surface for drainage) of the sidewalk must be over 1m; when the elevation difference between the sidewalk and the roadway exceeds 15cm, the ratio of the sloped section must not exceed 15% and the length of the flat section (actually a 2% sloped surface) of the sidewalk must be over 1m.

If the above regulations cannot be implemented, the entire width of the sidewalk must be arranged with a slope ratio below 8% for both sides of the car entrance.

The elevation difference between the roadway and sidewalk at the entrance must not exceed 5cm.

The width of the car entrance is from 4m to 8m, maximum 10m for oversized vehicles. A slope ratio of 8% or less should be arranged for the entire sidewalk width on both sides of the entrance.

Figure 10-1 (All sidewalks must have a 2% slope for drainage)

The entrance to parking lots and pick-up – drop-off areas must be arranged to avoid walkways and main arterial roads.

Design solutions need to pay attention to arranging pedestrian protection posts at intersections, bus and taxi waiting areas, at ramp slopes, areas with large elevation differences. Signage for underground technical infrastructure wires and pipelines must be installed.

A pedestrian path with a minimum width of 1.5m must be arranged. All equipment on the sidewalk (lighting, signal lights, control cabinets, bus stops, footrests, advertising posts, trash cans, fire hydrant posts, bollards, greenery, etc.) must be ensured to be outside the scope of the pedestrian path and paint iron, steel, aluminum components in moss green. At sidewalk locations arranged with pedestrian crossings, bus stops must be designed with lowered sidewalk elevation to create access for people with disabilities.

Cutting and slashing sidewalks is prohibited. Sidewalk surfaces need to be flat, continuous, ensuring pedestrian safety. When paving sidewalks, guidance tiles, stop tiles must be arranged, creating a ramp that transitions continuously with the crosswalk marking as prescribed.

For walking-combined road axes, road axes combined with multi-functional squares, sidewalks may be at the same height as the roadway, only using finishing materials to distinguish, combined with appropriate surface drainage solutions and traffic organization.

Comply with the design of the specialized management agency, if any.

• Sidewalk materials:

Sidewalk construction materials must ensure compliance with standards and codes, ensure the durability of sidewalk structure, less wear, scratches and moss growth. Use sidewalk materials with roughness, slip resistance, especially in areas with large slopes, arrange materials with special surfaces on routes and areas with disabled people, especially the visually impaired. Encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials, especially unburnt bricks, locally available materials. Use materials and sidewalk structural layers that allow rainwater to permeate into the groundwater layer. Synchronously build drainage, electricity, and communication manhole covers.

• Sidewalk colors:

Sidewalk colors are harmonious with the urban landscape space of the area. Encourage sidewalk paving tiles with patterns bearing cultural features of each area, in a modern direction.

• Sidewalk lighting:

Sidewalk lighting should focus on crowded areas such as public buildings, parks, commercial buildings. Note the lighting of bus stops, urban railway stations, areas with blind spots, intersections with crosswalk markings, areas with seating, information signage, flower gardens, landscapes, motor vehicle entrances, parking bays.

b) Street pavement lighting design:

• Use energy-saving lamps, with design and brightness suitable to the function of each road axis according to the approved planning. Lighting technical parameters must comply with the National Technical Regulations, lamp power, lighting arrangement plan and hanging height must be reasonable in terms of aesthetics, usage power and electrical safety, energy saving.
• Arrange and use decorative lights on sidewalks of park areas, public entertainment areas, squares and other public works to ensure cost savings and increase urban aesthetics.
• Traffic monitoring cameras, traffic signboards, advertisement banner holders can be integrated on lighting poles, etc., need to ensure not affecting the lighting function and urban aesthetics.

3. Street greenery system:

a) The arrangement of street trees must comply with planning, standards, codes and regulations on management of urban parks and greenery and ensure compliance with Decision No. 52/2013/QD-UBND dated November 25, 2013 of the City People’s Committee on the list of trees prohibited from planting on streets in Ho Chi Minh City.

b) Road axes less than 2km long are only allowed to plant 1 to 2 types of trees. Road axes longer than 2km can plant 1 to 3 different types of trees.

c) The planting distance is suitable for each type of tree and with the space organization and urban architecture on both sides of the road. In areas with large buildings, long fences along the sidewalk, it is necessary to connect tree planting boxes to arrange green patches, enhance street landscape.

d) The arrangement of underground works including pipelines, technical trenches, technical cable routes must be calculated to suit the planting of urban greenery, especially tall trees with large canopies and deep roots.

đ) Greenery on sidewalks:

• On sidewalks of road axes, choose medium-canopy trees, taproots, sparse canopies, harmonious with the urban space of each road axis.
• The planting distance is suitable for each type of tree and with the urban architectural organization on both sides of the road.
• Design beautiful, flat, durable tree box covers to facilitate pedestrians. Design and install durable and aesthetic tree protection frames, harmonious with the overall sidewalk design.
• In areas with large buildings, long fences along sidewalks, arrange connected grass, flower boxes to enhance street landscape.

e) Greenery on median strips:

• On median strips between road lanes wider than 2m, in case of not being restricted by underground or overhead infrastructure lines, shady trees should be designed. Low layer planted with grass, decorative flowers.
• Median strips with a width of 2m or more and not restricted by underground or overhead infrastructure lines can plant straight-trunk trees with branching height from 5m or more. The width of the canopy and branches is not wider than the median strip surface.
• Median strips with a width of 2m or less are only allowed to plant grass, bonsai or low shrubs under 1.5m and year-round flowering plants to create street landscape.

g) Street tree planting boxes:

• The size and type of tree planting boxes are used uniformly for the same type of tree on the same street, on each section or road segment.
• Around tree planting boxes on streets or public ownership areas (with sidewalks), curbstones must be built with the same elevation as the sidewalk elevation to keep soil from dirtying the sidewalk or other design forms to protect trees and create decoration.
• Take advantage of tree planting boxes to plant grass, shrubs, flowers to create clusters around the tree base or green strips to increase urban landscape beauty. Prioritize choosing plants with strong vitality, easy to care for, prune and shape; flowering plants or leaves with fresh, beautiful colors, long-blooming and year-round flowers.

4. Important transport hub works (road stations; airports; waterway ports; urban railways;)

a) Ensure connection with different modes of transport, especially public transport, convenient for pedestrians as well as receiving, temporarily storing and transshipping goods. Arrange overpasses, walkways convenient for pedestrians to access stations. Organize convenient, safe, hygienic and aesthetic public spaces. Design traffic squares that are safe for pedestrians, passengers, hygienic, and civilized. Arrange many public amenities in the square area such as information signage, trash cans, seating, miniatures.

b) Must ensure synchronous technical infrastructure, convenient traffic connection, ensure traffic safety and not affect the normal operation of the regional technical infrastructure system, consider the relationship between the station and the surrounding area. Limit negative impacts on residential areas and adjacent urban areas, minimize environmental impacts.

c) Architecture with appropriate language, meeting functions, using materials and energy efficiently, connecting many modes of transport. Open space, combining commercial activities, services, etc. Encourage the use of large space structures, minimizing columns, enhancing flexibility to organize traffic and public spaces for passengers. The works use natural ventilation and lighting solutions, minimizing energy use.

d) Apply the TOD development model (Transit Oriented Development) to attract the development of multi-functional works, meet the requirements of traffic connection and public space to attract people to use urban railways.

đ) Encourage planting shady trees, increasing green patches around waiting areas to create beautiful landscapes for passengers and harmonize with the surrounding park landscape.

5. Wire and pipeline infrastructure works (new urban areas; old urban areas, renovated urban areas):

a) For new urban areas:

During the design of wire and pipeline routes, it is necessary to ensure close coordination with the design contents of urban greenery and urban landscape on the road and surrounding areas in a synchronous manner.

b) For old urban areas, renovated urban areas:

• Underground technical infrastructure wires and pipelines by building conduit works, technical tanks or trenches to arrange and install technical wires and pipelines.
• Within the scope of safety corridors, isolation corridors of technical infrastructure works, take advantage of organizing greenery, lawns, flower beds, small symbols to improve urban landscape and urban environment.

6. Information and telecommunications works in urban areas:

a) Must choose a construction location that is suitable for landscape, ensure service radius, in accordance with the approved construction planning.

b) Information and telecommunications transmission and reception antennas must be installed in the correct location permitted by the urban management agency.

c) Telephone wires and information wires must be replaced with combined wires; remove unused equipment and wires, moving towards complete undergrounding.

d) Information technical boxes, mailboxes, public telephone booths, information equipment on sidewalks must be arranged according to the approved planning, suitable to the sidewalk size and have appropriate, harmonious, easy-to-use styles and colors, not obstructing pedestrians.

đ) Encourage organizations and individuals to prioritize sharing information and mobile transmission and reception station infrastructure to reduce costs in construction investment, ensure urban aesthetics and save land for construction.

7. Water supply, drainage, and urban sanitation works:

a) Water supply and drainage works, pumping stations, water tanks, water towers, sewage inlets, rainwater inlets, manholes, garbage strainers on streets and walkways must be designed and installed with appropriate materials, correct specifications, durable and safe for people, traffic vehicles and ensure urban aesthetics. For existing combined inlets and sewage inlets, it is necessary to renovate and gradually replace them with odor-proof inlets (currently the main inner-city roads have gradually been replaced), newly built inlets are recommended to install odor-proof equipment right from the beginning to ensure aesthetics and minimize impacts on the surrounding environment.

b) Lake banks and river banks through urban areas must have sloped embankments; if there are fences or railings, there must be reasonable architectural solutions; the structure of water outlets must ensure safety, aesthetics, and harmony with the entire route landscape.

c) Public toilets on streets must ensure aesthetics, convenience for all users. Design in harmony with the overall landscape of the area.

d) Trash cans on streets must be placed in the correct prescribed locations, ensure aesthetics, have appropriate sizes for all subjects, convenient and easy to identify.

8. Power supply works

a) For existing inner-city areas, there is a plan to renovate the power system, gradually undergrounding the power grid system (power transmission line system, transformers and auxiliary equipment for power transmission) to ensure safety and urban aesthetics. Limit arranging transformer stations and switchgear stations on the ground floor of buildings facing sidewalks of commercial and service routes.

b) For new urban development areas, ensure that low-voltage and medium-voltage power systems in projects are invested in underground construction in synchronization with other technical infrastructure systems (except transportation). High-voltage routes are developed according to approved plans.

c) Take advantage of the clearances of power lines to organize urban green spaces.

9. Urban traffic bridge works (river bridges, overpasses, pedestrian bridges, etc.)

a) Do not negatively affect the urban landscape.

b) It is necessary to consider specific conditions in terms of space, architecture, and landscape of the surrounding area to have appropriate design solutions, contributing to the overall landscape.

Article 11. Other requirements

1. For advertising on architectural works:

a) General regulations:

• It is strictly prohibited to advertise on fences, within the premises, and on architectural works of administrative, political, military, diplomatic, and organizational headquarters; religious and belief works; conservation architectural works; monuments; educational, healthcare, and urban technical infrastructure works.
• Advertising signs must not obstruct entrance doors, windows, balcony openings, loggias, emergency exits, and fire escape routes.
• Advertising signs must ensure safety in terms of load-bearing structure, electrical safety, and fire prevention and fighting for both the signs and the architectural works.
• The specifications and dimensions of house number plates shall comply with Decision No. 22/2012/QD-UBND dated May 31, 2012, of the City People’s Committee on the promulgation of the Regulation on numbering and installation of house number plates in the City.
• Building signage: signs on towers with a height of 20m or more shall only be placed at the top of the tower and are strictly prohibited from being installed on the roof of the building (see Figure 11-1).

Figure 11-1: Regulations on signage

b) For apartment buildings:

Advertising is allowed on the podium with public and service functions of apartment buildings. Advertising signs must not exceed the height of the podium. Vertical advertising signs must not protrude more than 60cm from the building’s exterior.

c) For shopping malls:

• Advertising is allowed on the architectural works of shopping malls. There is no limit on the total advertising area. Advertising signs must not protrude more than 60cm from the building’s exterior.
• It is allowed to construct independent advertising pylons within the premises of the works, provided that the signs do not encroach on the road boundaries, obstruct the visibility of traffic inside and outside the premises, hinder the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, and harmonize with the overall architecture of the project.
• Except for special cases, building signage must be made in the form of separate letters and illuminated. For horizontal signage, the maximum height is 2.0m, and the length must not exceed the width of the building facade. For vertical signage, the maximum width is 1.0m, and the maximum height is 4.0m but must not exceed the height of the floor where the signage is placed.

d) For mixed-use residential and commercial service buildings:

• Advertising is allowed on architectural works. There is no limit on the total advertising area. Advertising signs must not exceed the height of the commercial service podium and must not protrude more than 60cm from the building’s exterior.
• It is allowed to construct independent advertising pylons within the premises of the works, provided that the signs do not encroach on the road boundaries, obstruct the visibility of traffic inside and outside the premises, hinder the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, and harmonize with the overall architecture of the project.
• Except for special cases, building signage must be made in the form of separate letters and illuminated. For horizontal signage, the maximum height is 2.0m, and the length must not exceed the width of the building facade. For vertical signage, the maximum width is 1.0m, and the maximum height is 4.0m but must not exceed the height of the floor where the signage is placed. Additionally, signage on towers with a height of 20m or more shall only be placed at the top floor of the tower, with only one sign allowed on each side, and it is strictly prohibited to install signage on the building’s roof.

đ) For office high-rises:

• Advertising is allowed on architectural works. Advertising signs must not exceed the height of the podium.
• It is allowed to construct independent advertising pylons within the premises of the works, provided that the signs on the pylons do not encroach on the road boundaries, obstruct the visibility of traffic inside and outside the premises, or hinder the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
• Building signage must be made in the form of separate letters and illuminated. For horizontal signage, the maximum height is 2.0m, and the length must not exceed the width of the building facade. For vertical signage, the maximum width is 1.0m, and the maximum height is 4.0m but must not exceed the height of the floor where the signage is placed. Additionally, signage on towers with a height of 20m or more shall only be placed at the top floor of the tower, with only one sign allowed on each side, and it is strictly prohibited to install signage on the building’s roof.

e) For general education and preschool works:

• No form of advertising is allowed on the fence and exterior of school buildings; only signage, notices, and information of the school are allowed according to legal regulations.
• Signage attached to the building must be at a height of over 3.5m from the sidewalk to the bottom edge of the sign.
• It is allowed to construct one signage board in front of the school gate with a maximum area of 5.0 m².

g) For university and college works:

• No form of advertising is allowed on the fence and exterior of university and college buildings; only signage, notices, and information of the school are allowed according to legal regulations.
• Signage attached to the building must be at a height of over 3.5m from the sidewalk to the bottom edge of the sign.
• It is allowed to construct one signage board in front of the school gate with a maximum area of 5.0 m².

h) For healthcare works:

• No form of advertising is allowed on the fence and exterior of healthcare works; only signage, notices, and information of the healthcare facility are allowed according to legal regulations.
• Signage attached to the building must be at a height of over 3.5m from the sidewalk to the bottom edge of the sign.
• It is allowed to construct one signage board in front of the gate with a maximum area of 5.0 m².

i) For industrial works:

• No form of advertising is allowed on the fence and exterior of industrial works; only signage, notices, and information of the building are allowed.
• Signage attached to the building must be at a height of over 3.5m from the sidewalk to the bottom edge of the sign.
• It is allowed to construct one signage board in front of the gate with a maximum area of 5.0 m².

k) For religious and belief works:

• No form of advertising is allowed on the fence and architectural works of religious and belief buildings.
• It is allowed to hang signage, notices, and information of the works on the gate and fence with a total area not exceeding 5.0 m².

l) For conservation works:

• No form of advertising is allowed on the fence and architectural works of conservation buildings.
• It is allowed to attach building signage on the fence or facade of the building with an area not exceeding 2.0 m². The signage design must be compatible with the architectural form of the building.

m) For works under construction:

Within the premises of works under construction (except for works where advertising on fences is prohibited), temporary advertising may be installed or displayed on the enclosing fence surrounding the works but must not affect the construction work and normal activities of adjacent buildings.

2. Architectural form of gates and fences:

a) The architecture of fences needs to ensure the following regulations:

• Harmonize with the space, landscape, and urban architecture of the area;
• The design details, colors, and construction materials harmonize with the building;
• The fence height must not exceed 2.6m from the sidewalk; if a fence base is provided, the base height must not exceed 1.0m;
• Fences adjacent to public spaces must be designed with at least 75% (50% for separate houses) of the surface area allowing visibility, using materials such as mesh, iron bars, etc., to ensure unobstructed views.
• It is encouraged to construct open and airy fences, combined with planting trees to create an urban landscape.
• For large-scale public, sports, and commercial service buildings, it is encouraged to omit fences to contribute to creating a landscape and open space in the area.
• Do not construct fences around public green spaces.
• Building gates: for residential buildings, the gate architecture must not exceed 1.5 times the fence height. The height of the gate architecture must not exceed 2 times the fence height. The gate architecture needs to harmonize with the building architecture, fence, and adjacent urban architecture and be proportional to the width of the sidewalk.

b) National security and defense works, diplomatic mission headquarters, administrative and political agencies; specialized and highly important works may have specific designs suitable for the characteristics of each work.

3. Color, material, and exterior details of architectural works:

a) Exterior colors of architectural works:

• The colors on architectural works must harmonize with the landscape, regional architecture, and adjacent buildings and be suitable for the architectural style of the building.
• Do not use reflective, dark, or garish colors. Colors for each type of building are regulated as follows:

Separate residential buildings: it is encouraged to use a maximum of 03 colors for the exterior walls of a building.

Apartment buildings, commercial buildings, mixed-use buildings: it is encouraged to use cool and soft color schemes. The podium of buildings with commercial service facilities can use vibrant and bright colors.

For cultural, educational, and sports works: bright and vibrant colors suitable for the activity content and age of students, ensuring harmony with the building architecture and urban landscape of the adjacent area.

For conservation works: the colors of conservation architectural works must be suitable for the architectural style of the building and harmonize with the architecture and landscape of the area.

b) Exterior materials of architectural works:

• Construction materials of the building must comply with construction standards and regulations, be suitable for the architectural style, and harmonize with the architecture and landscape of the area.
• Do not use reflective materials or materials with dark or garish colors that affect the urban landscape. For mixed-use buildings and public buildings, it is encouraged to use beautiful, durable, high-quality, dust-resistant materials that can withstand rainy and sunny weather conditions, such as natural stone, stone paint, rough-surfaced artificial stone, glass, high-grade aluminum, especially for the ground floor and crowded areas.

c) Exterior details of architectural works:

• Exterior architectural decoration details (facade, side) must comply with construction standards and regulations and harmonize with the architectural landscape of the area. It is not encouraged to use fussy architectural details on architectural works. For conservation works, architectural decoration details need to be suitable for the architectural style of the original building and harmonize with the architecture and landscape of the area.
• Have architectural solutions to conceal the building’s technical systems such as air conditioners, water tanks, solar energy systems, and technical pipelines to limit visibility from public spaces.
• Buildings are not allowed to design or install pipes, gutters for discharging rainwater, yard washing water, and various types of wastewater onto sidewalks and public roads; it is not allowed to construct and install ramps and gate wings that protrude onto public sidewalks.
• Conceal technical systems, air conditioners, water tanks, solar energy systems, etc., to limit visibility from public spaces.

1. For projects and works that have not been implemented and are being implemented:

All projects and works that have not been implemented and are being implemented must construct fences for protection. The construction of temporary fences must be permitted by the competent authority.

a) For works constructed within the land for roads:

Implement according to the Regulation on barrier models used for construction works with barriers located within the land for roads in Ho Chi Minh City as guided by the departments and sectors.

b) For projects and works that have not been implemented:

• Organize the protection of the project and works with fences with a maximum height of 2.6m, constructed on the correct road boundary (see Figure 11-2). In case of constructing fences within the expanded road boundary, there must be a minimum setback of 1m from the sidewalk to ensure pedestrian traffic and be licensed by the competent road traffic management agency.
• Fences must ensure structural safety, prevent tilting and collapsing, wind overturning; ensure traffic safety for people and vehicles circulating outside the barrier, especially for pedestrians as well as for people and equipment inside the barrier. Ensure lighting, security and order, and urban sanitation around the project boundary.
• It is encouraged to organize green landscape within the premises of unbuilt project works and construct protective fences with beautiful architecture and openness to supplement the urban landscape. The solid part of the fence must ensure aesthetic quality, be painted in light green, or have green trees and decorative vines; draw images of the project or beautiful scenery to contribute to enhancing the urban aesthetics.

Figure 11-2: Fences for projects and works that have not been implemented

c) For projects and works under construction:

• Organize the protection of the project and works with temporary fences, closed barriers, with the height of the temporary fences depending on the safety protection requirements of the construction site; made of steel frames and corrugated iron sheets; constructed on the correct road boundary. The part of the fence adjacent to the sidewalk with pedestrians must have a canopy above at a height of ≥ 2.2m from the sidewalk level and a width of ≥ 1m.
• In case of constructing fences within the expanded road boundary, there must be a minimum setback of 1.5m from the existing roadway to ensure pedestrian traffic and be licensed by the competent road traffic management agency.
• Fences must ensure structural safety, prevent tilting and collapsing, wind overturning; ensure traffic safety for people and vehicles circulating outside the barrier, especially for pedestrians as well as for people and equipment inside the barrier. Ensure lighting, security and order, and urban sanitation around the project boundary.
• Implement methods of decorating temporary fences such as painting in light green, drawing images of the project or beautiful scenery to contribute to enhancing the urban aesthetics.

1. For the treatment of the exterior of existing architectural works that have a negative impact on the urban landscape; some requirements that contribute to enhancing the urban aesthetics:

a) Treatment of the exterior of existing architectural works that have a negative impact on the urban landscape:

• There should be solutions to conceal, create a double facade, plant trees, create green wall panels to obstruct the view and limit the impact on the urban landscape of the surrounding areas.
• Concealing exterior equipment: have architectural solutions to conceal all machinery, technical systems outside the building (air conditioners, water tanks, solar energy systems, technical pipelines, etc.), ensuring they must be hidden from view and limit visibility from public spaces.

b) Some requirements that contribute to enhancing the urban aesthetics:

• Encourage decorating buildings according to events, seasons, … planting trees and flowers.
• Colors:

Except for special cases, the wall paint colors of newly constructed buildings must have a low saturation as in Table 11-1 or not be too garish, and must be compatible and harmonious with the surrounding space.

Overall, buildings should use light colors to effectively reflect sunlight, especially in regions with a sunny climate like Ho Chi Minh City. However, in case of using glass, the area of glass installation on the facade must be lower than 80% to avoid glare.

Table 11-1: Maximum color saturation of building paint materials according to the Munsell Color System

• Building lighting:

Have a plan to design artistic lighting for buildings with a height of ≥ 50m located in important positions, adjacent to areas with a high concentration of people, which can be seen from many directions. The illuminated part occupies at least ¼ of the building height, starting from the roof of the building downward.

The lighting solution must be suitable for the building’s function, reflect the characteristic features, and highlight the architectural form of the building.

Equipment used for building lighting must ensure quality, withstand weather conditions, have high durability and longevity, and create a long-lasting aesthetic effect.

The arrangement of equipment must ensure that it does not affect the aesthetic appearance and architecture of the building during the day.

CHAPTER III MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF VALUABLE ARCHITECTURAL WORKS

Article 12. Regulations on the management of works that have been classified according to the Law on Cultural Heritage

1. Works that have been classified according to the Law on Cultural Heritage are identified and managed in accordance with the Law on Cultural Heritage;
2. For urban space areas adjacent to Protection Zone I or Protection Zone II (if any) that have an impact on the landscape of the relic, when developing a plan, there should be specific regulations on controlling the building height to protect the viewpoints of the work and from adjacent spaces to the work;
3. Organizations and individuals participating in presiding over the planning of projects or presiding over the organization of construction and supervision of conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of relics must ensure the demonstration of the professional capacity for relic restoration and repair for organizations and have a certificate of practice for relic restoration and repair for individuals as prescribed by law;
4. The project owner of the renovation and construction of works in places that affect relics is responsible for coordinating and creating conditions for the competent state agency in culture, sports, and tourism to supervise the process of renovating and constructing those works. The project owner needs to have an assessment of the project’s impact on the load-bearing structure and the degree of influence on the stability of the classified works appraised by the provincial-level construction management agency.

Article 13. Regulations on the management of works on the approved List of valuable architectural works

The works on the List of valuable architectural works include:

Old villas built before 1975 approved by the City People’s Committee belonging to Group I villas and Group II villas (according to Decree No. 99/2015/ND-CP dated October 20, 2015, of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Housing Law) – the list in Appendix 19;

Other valuable architectural works approved by the City People’s Committee belonging to Class I, Class II, and Class III (according to Decree No. 85/2020/ND-CP dated July 17, 2020, of the Government detailing a number of articles of the Law on Architecture).

1. Regulations on the renovation, repair, reconstruction of the above-mentioned works, fences, and technical systems:

a) Owners and users of the works are responsible for protecting, preserving, and restoring the architectural values of the works, ensuring the safety of the works during exploitation and use.

b) When detecting works showing signs of quality degradation; having poor safety structures, it is necessary to promptly notify the People’s Committee of the district, town, or Thu Duc city where the works are located. In case of severe damage, with a risk of collapse according to the conclusion of the Department of Construction, it is necessary to dismantle to ensure safety and fully comply with the provisions of the law on construction during the dismantling process.

c) Do not arbitrarily dismantle the works or construct, renovate, or expand to increase the area, occupy the space outside the works; do not arbitrarily repair or renovate the exterior of the works, reducing the architectural value, original authenticity, and integrity of the architectural details (decorative details, moldings, door patterns, roofs including eaves brackets, exterior wall materials, etc.) of the works.

d) If the interior still retains value, the owner is encouraged to try to preserve the original interior.

đ) Owners of the works must carry out necessary maintenance to avoid damaging the monuments.

e) When adding technical systems to meet or approach national technical regulations (such as fire protection systems, electrical and water systems, air conditioning, or structures to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, etc.), it must not affect the main components of the works as well as the facade of the works.

g) In case the architectural details are damaged beyond repair, restoration, or rehabilitation and need to be replaced with new ones, they must be designed by consulting units with appropriate professional capacity.

2. Regulations on the overall landscape, the form of trees and gardens to ensure harmony with the form of architectural works:

a) Encourage planting trees, garden lawns, dismantling existing structural components to build and patch onto the works, in order to increase the authenticity, harmony, and architectural landscape of the works, and to embellish the original landscape within the premises of the main works.

b) In case of renovating the landscape within the premises of the works, the new landscape must ensure that the form of trees and gardens harmonizes with the form of the main architectural works and does not obstruct the view towards the main works, preserving the typical viewpoints of the works.

3. For additional construction and new construction within the premises of valuable works:

a) General principles:

• The added parts must not be more prominent in terms of proportion, volume, and height, and at the same time must be compatible with the main works in terms of design, color, and materials.
• The old and new parts must be combined as a harmonious building but must ensure distinguishable differences. Do not choose to copy the original monument for the added part.
• The design of new construction works must comply with regulations such as height, setback, orientation, proportion, volume, alignment, window patterns, colors, facade materials, modules, and landscape elements.
• Existing decorative details and patterns can be used as a basis for designing new works but must not be copied exactly. The modernization of details and patterns of historical works is encouraged.
• Encourage creating open spaces that connect with public spaces and open spaces around the works.

b) The construction of new and additional buildings within the premises of old valuable villas must comply with the principles specified in Clause 2, Article 34 of Decree No. 99/2015/ND-CP dated October 20, 2015, of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of some articles of the Housing Law dated November 25, 2014, by the National Assembly, specifically as follows:

• For old villas belonging to Group 1, the exterior architectural shape, internal structure, construction density, number of floors, and height must be preserved.
• For old villas belonging to Group 2, the exterior architecture must be preserved.

c) In case the land lot containing a Group 2 villa still has a land use coefficient according to the approved 1/500 scale detailed planning or 1/2000 scale zoning plan, the additional construction must ensure:

• Not exceeding the land use coefficient and construction density of the land lot.
• Not obscuring the main facade of the villa.

d) Other valuable architectural works:

• Class I: the exterior architectural shape, internal structure, construction density, number of floors, and height must be preserved. Additional construction and new construction within the premises of the main works are not allowed;
• Class II and Class III: the exterior architecture must be preserved. Additional construction and new construction within the premises of the main works are allowed. However, it is necessary to ensure the construction density is consistent with the approved plan. At the same time, harmonize with the main works.

CHAPTER IV IMPLEMENTATION

Article 14. Implementation of the Regulations

The implementation of the regulations is carried out as follows:

1. Regarding construction permit issuance:

a) For works and areas that have been specified in detail in these Regulations, the Department of Construction, People’s Committees of Thu Duc City and districts, and the competent construction licensing agencies shall base on relevant current regulations and these Regulations to issue construction permits according to their authority.

b) For works that have not been specified in detail in these Regulations, the competent construction licensing agency shall base on current regulations to consider and resolve.

c) For works and construction investment projects with proposals that are different from these Regulations, the Department of Planning and Architecture shall consider and evaluate the reasonableness and suitability to local practical conditions, propose the Architectural Advisory Council to provide opinions as a basis for consideration and submission to the City People’s Committee for decision.

2. Regarding the implementation of the regulations for areas with special management requirements:

The People’s Committees of Thu Duc City and districts shall base on the boundaries and locations of the list of areas with special management requirements in Clause 2, Article 4 and the provisions in Article 8 of these Regulations for implementation.

3. Regarding research and supplementation of specific provisions:

During management, the Department of Planning and Architecture is the focal point to receive recommendations and problems from agencies, organizations and individuals to conduct reviews, assess conditions, and propose supplementary amendments as a basis for proposing adjustments to suit the development situation of the City and submit to the City People’s Committee for approval as prescribed.

Article 15. Responsibilities of agencies, organizations and individuals in implementing the Architectural Management Regulations

1. Responsibilities of the City’s Architectural Advisory Council:

a) Participate in consulting and giving opinions on proposals for orientations on the City’s architectural management and recommendations of the Department of Planning and Architecture;

b) Participate in consulting and giving opinions on building national cultural identity in architecture, programs on preserving and developing the City’s architectural landscape; suitable to the City’s historical development conditions;

c) Participate in consulting and giving opinions on proposals for urban areas with special management requirements, requirements for managing architectural works not included in these Regulations;

d) Consult and give opinions on options, choose optimal solutions for important architectural works specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of these Regulations at the request of the Chairman of the City People’s Committee;

đ) Participate in consulting and giving opinions during the process of making a list of the City’s valuable architectural works.

2. Responsibilities of design consulting organizations and individuals:

a) Design documents must ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations.

b) During the application of these Regulations, it is necessary to provide written feedback on contents that are unreasonable or inconsistent with actual conditions to the Department of Planning and Architecture.

3. Responsibilities of construction contractors:

a) Comply with the relevant management regulations in these Regulations.

b) During the construction, completion, repair, and maintenance of works, there must be measures to minimize adverse impacts on the residential community, on the space, architecture, and landscape of the area where the works are built.

c) During the application of these Regulations, it is necessary to provide feedback on contents that are unreasonable or inconsistent with actual conditions to the Department of Planning and Architecture.

4. Responsibilities of owners, investors, users:

a) Comply with the provisions of these Regulations.

b) During the application of these Regulations, it is necessary to provide written feedback on contents that are unreasonable or inconsistent with actual conditions to the Department of Planning and Architecture.

5. Responsibilities of socio-political and professional organizations:

a) Perform the functions of consultancy, appraisal and social criticism in state management of urban architecture; design of urban landscape; protection of ecological environment; design of architectural works of important significance to the City as prescribed by law.

b) Research, theorize and criticize architecture, improve professional competence for members and those participating in activities in fields related to architecture.

c) Propagate and disseminate policies, laws, knowledge, and experience in the field of architecture and management of urban development, building modern cities and preserving national cultural identity.

d) During the application of these Regulations, it is necessary to provide written feedback on contents that are unreasonable or inconsistent with actual conditions to the Department of Planning and Architecture.

6. Responsibilities of specialized agencies in construction and architecture:

a) Responsibilities of the Department of Planning and Architecture

• Organize the adjustment and supplementation of the City’s Architectural Management Regulations as prescribed;
• Guide Departments, branches and People’s Committees of districts, Thu Duc City in implementing these Regulations.
• Receive, review and evaluate recommendations and proposals with contents related to these Regulations from relevant agencies, organizations and individuals to provide appropriate explanations and guidance or synthesize reports and propose to the City People’s Committee when necessary.
• Review and evaluate the implementation of architectural management regulations as prescribed in Article 14 of Decree No. 85/2020/ND-CP dated July 17, 2020 of the Government.
• Take the lead and coordinate with the People’s Committees of Thu Duc City, districts, Departments, branches, and related units to organize the supplementation and adjustment of specific regulations in areas with special management requirements and review and supplement the list of areas with special management requirements into these Regulations after having a summary report and approval of the City People’s Committee.
• Coordinate with relevant departments and branches and the People’s Committees of Thu Duc City and districts to promote the implementation of the action program in preserving the urban architectural landscape in Ho Chi Minh City, making a list of valuable architectural works submitted to the City People’s Committee for approval, in order to fully supplement the contents and list of management of valuable architectural works of these Regulations.
• Strengthen the application of information technology and geographic information technology (GIS) in the management of urban architectural landscape.
• Carry out planned and unannounced inspections of the implementation of the provisions of these Regulations. Settle complaints and denunciations, report to the City People’s Committee for consideration and direction of handling violations.
• Synthesize and propose to the City People’s Committee for consideration and resolution of cases not yet specified in these Regulations.

b) Responsibilities of the Department of Construction:

• Coordinate with the Department of Planning and Architecture to guide departments, branches, People’s Committees of districts and Thu Duc City in implementing the Architectural Management Regulations and legal documents on construction according to the management field.
• Coordinate with the Department of Planning and Architecture to continuously review the specific provisions in the Regulations for supplementation and amendment to suit the urban development situation; continue to propose research and draft detailed regulations for other architectural management contents in the City and detailed regulations on construction permit issuance procedures to suit the characteristics and situation of the City.
• Synthesize and transfer the proposed contents to the Department of Planning and Architecture for construction works and investment projects with proposals contrary to these Regulations after having assessed the suitability and necessity of these proposals.
• Carry out planned and unannounced inspections to promptly detect construction works that do not properly implement these Regulations to handle violations as prescribed.

7. Responsibilities of Departments, branches and related organizations:

a) Based on the functions and tasks of specialized management fields, relevant Departments, branches and organizations are responsible for publicly announcing, guiding and providing approved specialized management regulations for investors and people to know and properly implement.

b) Public service management units, providers of public services, business activities and other service activities are responsible for coordinating with competent authorities in handling illegal construction works and construction without permits.

c) Regularly inspect specialized construction investment projects. Carry out planned and unannounced inspections. Settle complaints and denunciations, handle violations within their authority.

8. Responsibilities of People’s Committees at all levels:

a) People’s Committees at all levels are responsible for applying these Regulations in architectural management and construction licensing in their managed areas.

b) During the application of these Regulations, receive and provide written feedback on contents that are unreasonable or inconsistent with actual conditions to the Department of Planning and Architecture.

Article 16. Inspection, examination, reporting and handling of violations

1. The Department of Construction (Construction Inspectorate) shall coordinate with relevant Departments, branches and units to inspect the implementation of the Ho Chi Minh City Architectural Management Regulations in construction planning activities in Ho Chi Minh City, handle violations as prescribed; and at the same time inform the Department of Planning and Architecture.

2. The People’s Committees of Thu Duc City, districts, wards and communes, within the scope of their tasks and powers, have the responsibility to coordinate with the Construction Inspectorate to perform state management of architectural activities in their localities as prescribed by law.

3. Organizations and individuals violating the provisions of these architectural management regulations shall, depending on the severity of the violation, be handled in accordance with the provisions of law.

Article 17. Adjustment and supplementation of the Regulations

In case there is a discrepancy between these Regulations and other regulations such as Management Regulations according to the plan, Urban Design in zoning plans, the regulations stated above in the planning documents shall be applied.

During the application of the Regulations, if unreasonable problems arise, inconsistent with actual development or causing negative impacts on urban architecture, the Department of Planning and Architecture is responsible for synthesizing recommendations and proposals of relevant units, submitting to the City People’s Committee for consideration of adjustments as prescribed.

For contents that need to be regularly supplemented to meet management requirements (such as areas with special management requirements, valuable architectural works, etc.), the Department of Planning and Architecture, based on actual management and proposals of relevant professional agencies, professional associations, People’s Committees of Thu Duc City, districts, synthesizes and reports to the City People’s Committee annually to issue a decision to supplement the Regulations.

The Department of Planning and Architecture is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the Architectural Management Regulations every 3 years to continue improving and enhancing the quality of the Regulations to meet the requirements of urban architectural management. The results of the review and evaluation must be reported in writing to the competent authorities.

During the implementation of these Regulations, if there are difficulties or problems, Departments, branches, People’s Committees of Thu Duc City, districts, and relevant organizations and individuals shall reflect in writing to the Department of Planning and Architecture to synthesize and submit to the City People’s Committee for consideration of supplementing and amending the Regulations accordingly./.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

LIST OF APPENDICES